8 laptops stolen at Sikhuphe

The total value of the stolen HP laptops is estimated to be close to E100 000.

A reliable source said the laptops had valuable information on the operations of the airport.

The theft occurred despite the fact that the facility is under heavy surviellance by the police, the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force and a private security firm.

The laptops were allegedly stolen on Wednesday.

The disappearance of the laptops was only reported to the police on Friday morning.

The top of the range laptops were stolen prior to the visitation of ICAO President Roberto Kobeth Gonzalez who was in the country to inspect the international airport.

ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

It remains a mystery how the thieves managed to gain entry into the offices where the laptops were being kept.

The international airport is in the Lubombo region and the closest police post is at Mpaka.

SWAACA Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Sabelo Dlamini said he had been informed of the theft.

He said the computers were supposed to be delivered to SWAACA by the constructor who was appointed by the Millennium Projects Unit.

S&B is the contractor that is responsible for the construction of the airport.

SWACAA is a statutory body that was established by government through an Act of Parliament, by the Civil Aviation Authority Act No.10 of 2009, and became operational on December 7, 2009.

"These computers were part of the project and they had not yet been delivered to SWAACA. Although it was not officially reported to us we heard that there were computers that were reported to have been stolen," he said.

Dlamini said although the airport had not been officially handed over to them there were officers from SWAACA who were already there familiarising themselves with the airport and some were undergoing training.

Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ntuthuko Dlamini, said although he had heard about the matter he would not be in a position to comment as the airport was currently under the ministry of Economic Planning and Development.

Acting Director of Millennium Projects Patrick Mnisi said the stolen laptops had not been handed over to government.

Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Inspector Khulani Mamba confirmed the matter.

Inspector Mamba said police were currently investigating circumstances leading to the theft.

Mamba also confirmed that there were members of the Royal Swaziland Police who are stationed at the international airport and they work jointly with those from the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force and a private security firm.

His Majesty King Mswati III is expected to open Sikhuphe International Airport soon.

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