Witness claims he was offered E20k to kill soldier

MATSAMO – Three years after a soldier’s murder, new revelations point to a chilling combination of a hitman and E20 000.

It was around 7pm on an October evening in 2022 when gunfire shattered the stillness of a quiet homestead at Matsamo. Moments later, Royal Guard soldier, William Shongwe, lay lifeless on the ground outside his home. His two minor daughters, sitting beside him as he dyed his hair, watched in shock and disbelief as he fell after the gunshot. He died on the spot from the gunshot wound.

Three years later, questions about who killed the soldier and why, still hang heavily in the air. His family is still looking for answers. A bullet hole, next to where he was shot dead, is still visible in one of the walls in his house. In fact, it is near this wall that his children and widow usually sit.

Now, a man known only as *Jabha has come forward with information that could shed new light on the case. Speaking to Eswatini News, Jabha claims that before Shongwe’s death, he was offered E20 000 to kill him, an offer he insists he turned down because he thought it was a joke.  “I am not a killer”, he said.

He said he could have been approached because he had crossed into Eswatini at a dangerous spot, giving the impression that he could have the courage to kill someone. Jabha said he had crossed into Eswatini at a place frequented by dagga smugglers and it is considered dangerous.

Jabha then said he did not take the offer to kill the soldier but, someone else, he said, took the deal. That person, according to Jabha, is walking free. He said he had decided to speak out now because he wants the police to act.

The late soldier’s wife is now also aware of the allegations that someone was hired to shoot her husband. She said it has been three years of pain and suspense because she does not know what to tell her children as they are still looking for answers.

According to Shongwe’s wife, who spoke to Eswatini News from the family homestead this week, her husband had been relaxing outside the house with two of their children when a man entered through the gate.

At the time of the alleged shooting, it is said to have been already dark since the time was around 7pm. An intruder’s face would not have been visible according to his wife. The man, she says, approached quietly, and before anyone could react, three gunshots rang out.

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Getting hitman at Matsamo like asking for directions

MATSAMO – Just like one could ask for directions, this is reportedly how easy it is to get a hitman around Matsamo.

Due to its proximity to SA borderline, this makes it easy for criminals from Eswatini to flee into that country while those from there run here. In his interview, *Jabha also revealed disturbing details about a growing underground market for hitmen in some parts of Eswatini, particularly around Matsamo.

Hitmen are also referred to as contract killers.

Jabha claimed that contract killings can cost between E8 000 and E15 000, depending on the target and the circumstances. “It’s not hard to find someone,” he said. “You just need to know who to talk to. People are hungry. They’ll do anything for money.”

He added that he has since been approached twice to carry out killings, but turned both offers down just like he had done for the first one.

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‘I didn’t know him’

MATSAMO – A man who claims he was approached to kill soldier William Shongwe claims he did not know the deceased.

*Jabha said had he known Shongwe at the time, he would have informed him that there are people trying to kill him.

He said though he was a liSwati, he lived in South Africa (SA).

The late soldier’s wife, when asked if Jabha knew her husband before his death, her response was negative. She said Jabha lived in the neighbouring South Africa (SA).

*Full article available in our publication