MAN (40) ARRESTED FOR HOUSEBREAKING, E395 008 PROPERTY THEFT

MBABANE – A 40-year-old man from Mahangeni has been arrested in connection with the theft of property valued at E395 008, during housebreakings in his home area and surrounding areas. Simphiwe Felix Dlamini was remanded in custody in the presence of the complainants at the Mbabane Police Station yesterday. Among the complainants is the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Princess Malinga, who had property valued at E43 600 stolen from her home at Mahangeni. During the remand hearing, the Crown applied for the release of the stolen items as some are fragile and household items used daily. The Crown informed the court that photographs of the items would be taken as evidence.

The Crown also informed the court that it was not opposed to bail should Dlamini apply for it. However, the Crown implored the court to invoke Section 102 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938 when granting bail. This section of the law provides that the bail amount should be set at half the value of the stolen property. Dlamini had no objection to the Crown’s application, which resulted in the court releasing the property back to the owners, some of whom were present at the police station. He then applied for bail. Magistrate Vilakati granted Dlamini bail fixed at E20 000, in accordance with Section 103 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, 1938. Dlamini was warned against interfering with Crown witnesses. He was also warned against committing a similar offence while out on bail and to attend all court remands and hearings as ordered.

Dlamini is due to appear in court again on January 24, 2025 for the setting of a trial date. Information gathered suggests that Dlamini broke into the houses while some of the owners were sleeping. The commission of these offences has left the public with many questions given the quantity of the stolen property. The stolen property includes tractor parts, a double-door fridge, washing machines, a double bed, 19kg gas cylinder, sound systems, bunk beds and cement bags, among other items.

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