E135 000 RING STOLEN ON VALENTINE'S DAY

MBABANE - The air in Ezulwini crackled with romance, Valentine’s Day was in full swing - a symphony of love and celebration. But for one couple, the melody abruptly turned discordant. A woman had admired her gold ring all day. A symbol of her relationship, it adorned her finger - a glittering testament to their time together. Valued at a substantial E135 000, it was more than just jewellery; it was a cherished piece. Suddenly, a swift, almost imperceptible movement occurred. In the blink of an eye, the ring was gone. The ring, along with two four-piece gold wristbands and two gold earrings, vanished. The Valentine’s Day dream shattered, replaced by the harsh reality of theft.

Instead of a romantic evening, they found themselves in the sterile, fluorescent-lit Lobamba Police Station. They reported the theft and the joy of the day was replaced by a sense of violation. The stolen jewellery, a significant loss, was now a police case number. The festive spirit of Valentine’s Day was tainted by fear, the shadow of crime looming over the celebrations. For the couple, the day meant to symbolise connection ended with a stark reminder of vulnerability and the growing threat of jewellery theft.

Romantic

Their romantic plans were replaced by the grim reality of a police report, a stolen ring and the unsettling question of whether their experience was an isolated tragedy or a sign of a larger, more sinister trend. This incident, occurring on Valentine’s Day around 10:30pm, raises alarming questions. Was this an isolated incident, or was it part of a larger, organised crime ring targeting valuable jewellery? Recent reports paint a worrying picture.

Just weeks prior, a woman at Trelawney Park in Manzini lost a gold necklace worth E27 176, along with other valuables, in a break-in. Another incident saw a Rolex watch, valued at a staggering E150 000, stolen at Woodlands, in Mbabane. Meanwhile, tragedy struck over the weekend with three deaths reported in separate incidents. In a separate case, a 23-year-old man from Siphambanweni has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of a 34-year-old man from Nsingizini. The victim died after being stabbed in the neck and head with a sharp object at Mpakeni.

Drink-driving

Meanwhile, despite ongoing efforts to combat drink-driving, 84 motorists were arrested this past weekend for driving under the influence of alcohol. While this number represents a slight decrease from the 90 arrests the previous week, it underscores the persistent challenge of this dangerous behaviour on the nation’s roads. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has implemented a zero-tolerance campaign, with National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango emphasising that offenders will face the full force of the law.   

This includes potential publication of their details in the media as a deterrent.  Drink-driving remains a significant factor in road fatalities, and REPS has consistently stressed the dangers of driving while intoxicated. To ensure accountability, the national commissioner previously directed officers to bring all arrested individuals directly to court for processing, preventing them from circumventing the legal system. The 84 arrested motorists are scheduled to appear in court today.

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