FROM ‘DD’ TO FRAUD: 125 ‘FACATA’ CHARGES FOR MOTORCYCLIST

MANZINI – The arrest of a suspected drink-driver at Big Bend has escalated dramatically, with the suspect now facing 125 additional charges related to the ‘facata’ scams.
Bonginkhosi Muhle Matsenjwa, a 34-year-old man from KaBhudla, was arrested by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) at the Siteki turnoff along the Siphofaneni/Big Bend public road on Sunday. He was caught driving an unlicensed Protrax motorcycle while under the influence alcohol or drugs having narcotic effect. Matsenjwa’s breath test registered 0.93mg/l, exceeding the legal limit of 0.38mg/l. He was allegedly driving without a licence and carrying a passenger at the time of his arrest.

Charges

Matsenjwa now faces four charges under the Road Traffic Act of 2007, along with 125 additional charges related to various criminal activities. These include violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (2018), the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act (2011), theft by false pretences, and allegedly impersonating a soldier from Phocweni Army Barracks. The suspect appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate David Khumalo, facing a total of 129 charges.

Matsenjwa is the 49th person arrested in connection with the ‘facata’ scams, following the recent arrest of Makhosini Sakhile Lukhele from Luyengo last Thursday.
According to the charge sheet, Matsenjwa is accused of unlawfully operating the unlicensed motorcycle at the Siteki turn-off while having a breath alcohol level of 0.93mg/l.
He is also alleged to have falsely identified himself as Bonginkosi Vilakati, claiming to be a soldier at Phocweni Army Barracks, when his real name is Bonginkosi Reagan Matsenjwa, and he has no military affiliation.

Passenger

Additionally, Matsenjwa is accused of failing to produce a driver’s licence while operating the unlicensed vehicle and carrying a passenger, Sebenele Vilakati, on the motorcycle - a violation of road traffic regulations due to the vehicle’s engine capacity. Regarding the ‘facata’ scams, Matsenjwa is accused of being a member of a criminal gang that stole E3 817 from Thandeka Bhembe in Manzini last December. He is also accused of fraudulently obtaining E28 000 from Fanele Thwala in the Shiselweni Region on October 13. Matsenjwa allegedly convinced Thwala that his bank account had been hacked and tricked him into providing his bank details. The accused was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear on February 19, pending committal to the High Court.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: