SOME ESCAPED MOZ BRIBE THEIR WAY TO ESWATINI

MBABANE – Armed robberies have surged in areas closer to the borders with Mozambique, amid allegations of escaped prisoners bribing their way into Eswatini.
The allegations of some of the inmates bribing their way into neighbouring countries of Mozambique, which include South Africa and Eswatini, were aired by eNCA, a 24-hour news channel. eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto reportedly tracked down one of the fugitives, who was said to have agreed to speak to the news channel. In the visual footage, the prisoner described how he managed to bypass what is supposed to be ‘tightened’ border security.  The convict, in the two minutes video footage, revealed that bribery played a significant role in facilitating his crossing and claimed that officials on both sides of the border were involved.

Turmoil

The interviewed escapee convict is said to be part of the over 6 000 who escaped in prisons in the Republic of Mozambique as it has been in turmoil following the October polls.
As the inmates fled from lawful custody, there have been concerns that they may have fled into the country and as such, the nation could be in danger. It is on record that the country has porous borders with Mozambique, as this publication has at various instances reported criminal activities committed by suspects who then fled through it. Among these criminal acts were cattle rustling, car theft and also drug smuggling. In June last year, this publication reported that at a cordon line separating Eswatini and Mozambique, drug smuggling was at a peak in two communities under the Matsanjeni North Inkhundla.

It is worth noting that the local borders are manned by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF). However, the UEDF Public Affairs Officer, 2nd Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, dismissed the allegations of bribery and said: “The UEDF is a professional establishment that portrays honesty and loyalty towards every operation tasked upon it; with that said, there is no way the bribery allegations could be true.” Khumalo reassured the nation that the army is committed to manning all borderlines of Eswatini. Khumalo further emphasised that the UEDF is perpetually prepared and conducts its normal daily mobile patrols to ensure the safety of the nation. “Unfortunately, the operations cannot be discussed in-depth as they remain classified. All illegal immigrants controlled by the army are handed over to the REPS (Royal Eswatini Police Service) as per norm.”

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, there has been a surge in armed robberies in communities in close proximity to Mozambique. On Saturday, a 54-year-old woman of Nyakatfo reported that at around 4pm, she was robbed of money at gunpoint. Nyakatfo is in close proximity to two ports of entry, which are Matsamo, located 40 kilometres north from the area and Mananga, located 45 kilometres north-east. The armed robbers made away with a sum of E70. Also, on the same day, another female aged 34 was suspected to have been robbed by the same bandits within the same area. It was gathered that the woman was robbed around 1:30pm and the suspects fled with her Samsung A10F and money in cash. It was gathered that the cumulative figure for her loss is E2 200.

These armed robberies are at the backdrop of two people who lost E56 000 cash and electronics valued at E26 600. The armed robberies occurred in various instances and in two different regions.  In the Lubombo Region, last Monday, a male from Mlindazwe was at around 9pm robbed at gunpoint by four men who were unknown to him. The man was robbed at gunpoint E50 000 cash and electronics valued at E16 100. This tallies his loss to E66 100. Meanwhile, in the Hhohho Region, a woman at Thembelihle was attacked and held hostage by two men who were unknown to her. The robbers, according to sources, were both armed with handguns and they robbed her E6 000, two cellphones, an iPhone valued at E4 000 and a Nokia worth E500. She was also deprived of her Lenovo laptop valued at E6 000. The robbers further withdrew from her bank account E3 000.

Robbed

Cumulatively, she was robbed of items valued at E10 500. On the other hand, a tenant at Mbikwakhe found her house burgled and her E40 000 was stolen. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said there were no armed robberies that were shocking and depicting that they could be committed by foreigners.
“The robberies we have recorded for now are few and in usual instances where foreigners commit armed robberies, they use assault rifles,” she said. However, Vilakati said the police were encouraging vigilance among the citizenry as there were locals who could take advantage of the situation and commit armed robberies with the comfort that they will not be suspected.

She said as per the statement issued by the National Commissioner (NATCOM), Vusi Manoma Masango, they are aware that there could be people taking advantage of the situation.
Worth noting is that on Friday, the NATCOM issued a press statement, stating that the REPS is fully aware of the prevailing political situation in the Republic of Mozambique and is equally cognisant of its implications on the overall safety and security landscape in the region and surrounding countries, especially in Eswatini.

Advantage

“It has come to our attention that certain organisations or individuals want to take advantage of the situation and use it as a decoy to commit criminal acts. As a Police Service, we would like to send a strong caution to these elements who intend to fulfil egocentric agendas at the expense of the national security,” reads the statement in part.The NATCOM said as an organisation entrusted with safeguarding the peace, tranquillity and sovereignty of the country, they are alive and well prepared to deal with any and all possible eventualities that may be consequent to this situation.He said in the spirit of jealous patriotism and cooperation, they urged all emaSwati to heighten their sense of vigilance and alertness in order to promptly report any elements that have the potential to threaten the safety and security landscape. “We also urge members of the public to report all persons who will be coming to their homes seeking any assistance to the relevant authorities.”

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