Consul robbed of E8 000

MBABANE – Tanzanian Consul to Eswatini Herman Bashasha, was robbed at gunpoint on Monday night while at his residence at Mpholonjeni.

Robbers went away with E8 000 and two cellphones.

This was confirmed by one of the officers working at the consulate, who said the matter was being handled by the police.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. Vilakati said two men who were carrying a gun reportedly attacked Bashasha inside his house and went away with two cellphones.

When asked if the consul was assaulted, Vilakati said there was no case of assault opened. Bashasha was appointed Consul to Eswatini last year.

4 arrested for dagga

PIGG’S PEAK – A teenager does not want to be associated with a dagga charge in which five men were arrested for allegedly being found in possession of 13.3 kilogrammes of the illicit herb. The teenager, Bathandwa Gwebu (19), appeared with four others; Zakhele Dlamini (35), Kenneth Maluleka (29), Kwanele Mncina (32) and Thabiso Fakudze (25) before Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Sibonelo Dlamini yesterday.

They were found with 13.3 kilogrammes of dagga, while trying to escape from soldiers who had manned a roadblock with police officers along the Pigg’s Peak/ Matsamo Highway.

Yesterday, they were all given an opportunity to state why they should not be found guilty of the charge of violating the Pharmacy Act. It was then that Gwebu chose to speak.

The Crown counsel, Dollie Da Silva submitted that all the men should be found guilty as per the law in that they were found in possession of dagga regardless of whom of the five it belonged to. She submitted that they acted in common purpose in the commission of the offence.

Gwebu had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate adjourned the matter saying she will deliver the judgment on Friday