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Sipho Mndzebele Ndumiso Mkhabela Sanele Simelane Thabani Gumbi Nondumiso Sikhondze Nkosazana Ntshangase 1. 2. 3. 4.
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Nonsikelelo Nkambule Siphiwayinkhosi Nxumalo Mfanzile
Dlamini
Mduduzi
Kunene
Ayanda Kunene Siyabonga Shongwe
PIGG’S PEAK – While their blood was still warm, thieves stole from dying victims of a motor vehicle accident.
Last Saturday, people who were involved in an accident in which four people died, became victims of theft. The accident happened at Mbasheni along the Pigg’s Peak/ Matsamo Highway, when a Toyota Quantum and an Isuzu van collided head-on.
Four people, namely Sipho Malambe, Mveli Mnisi, Mfanawenkhani Kunene and Johannes Dlamini died while two others were admitted to the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital. Further, 13 others were treated and discharged on the same day.
A Traditional healer who goes by the name of Dr M Kunene, and is also the younger brother of Mfanawenkhani, revealed that some of the accident victims had their items stolen from them while they were still groaning in pain. This is said to have happened immediately after the accident.
Dr M, who is known for imali ye tipoko (Kruger Coins), said it was saddening that there were people who could steal from accident victims who were dying. He said his brother had withdrawn money amounting to E2 000 but it was stolen. He said he was with his neighbour whose items, including a cellphone were also stolen from him by some of the members of the public who arrived at the scene before emergency personnel.
Speaking about the incident, Dr M warned that those who had stolen the money from his dying brother must do the honourable thing and return it. “They must do it quickly,” warned Dr M. He also revealed that he was now busy arranging for the funeral of Mfanawenkhani and revealed that he would be laid to rest on Saturday morning around a place known as Thethakhona in Timphisini after a vigil on Friday.
Another member of the public who had witnessed the theft of some of the items, said instead of helping the victims, the first thing some members of the public did was steal from the people who were dying. He said tendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that a house was set alight at Hosea after the accident, the money and some of the items had been splashed outside the vehicle. He said upon noticing this, some of the members of the public then quickly took the items.
Further, it is alleged that some of the thieves even searched the pockets of the constituency. centre She said they were still investigating the matter injured people. They allegedly stole wallets as well as cellphones. It could not be established how much money was stolen in total at the accident scene other than the E2 000 that was allegedly taken from Mfanawenkhani.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the matter had not been reported to the police. She said it was uncommon for emaSwati to steal from people during accidents. She, however, warned that people who committed such crimes were bringing curses on their lives.