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MANZINI – In three months, 93 people have gone missing in the country.
It was said 63 persons were located alive while three were found dead.
The police said 27 were still missing and investigations were continuing. They said they would continue prioritising investigations of these cases.
On the other hand, it was reported that in the same period, 42 people committed suicide. An analysis of suicide incidents by the police revealed that 38 were males and four were female.
“In these incidents 18 ingested weevil tables, 23 victims died through hanging while one victim burnt himself to death. The reasons why people commit suicide vary and include desperation due to destitution, marital strife, debts, juvenile indiscretions and a range of other social problems,” reported the police.
Approach
They said the organisation provides remedial services through its psycho-social counselling programmes. The police reported that to curtail this scourge, a multi-sectoral approach was adopted by them in collaboration with key stakeholders especially by availing a platform for counselling and guidance for those who were in dire straits.
Meanwhile, breakthroughs in some of the crimes have been made as 30 suspects were arrested for serious and prioritised crimes in the past three months.
Beneath is the list of the crimes and the suspects arrested:
Armed robbery – Three suspects were arrested for committing six armed robbery cases around Manzini and Matsapha areas, whereby they attacked victims in their houses, business premises and further robbed them of their valuables armed with firearms, all stolen items valued at E25 000.
ATM bombing - A group of four suspects comprising of three South Africans and one liSwati were arrested for committing armed robbery at Standard bank ATM at Industrial Site where the ATM was bombed using a commercial explosive and an amount of E455 350 was stolen.
Malicious injury to property (MIP) - A group of four suspects comprising of three South Africans and one liSwati were arrested for damaging a FNB ATM, at or near Mbabane Buy and Save Spar and EswatiniBank ATM and money valued at E450 000 was stolen.
House breaking and theft - Four suspects were arrested for breaking into a school at Motshane area where Computers (HP laptops and monitor) and other valuables were stolen all valued at E68 700. Two suspects were arrested for a string of house breaking cases along Nkwalini and Mahwalala areas whereby various home appliances and other valuables valued at E91 334 were stolen. ii) Two suspects from Motshane were arrested for various house breaking cases at Motshane, whereby household items and other valuables valued at E35 474 were stolen.
Theft of copper - Six suspects were arrested for theft of copper committed around Sidvokodvo, Matsapha, Malkerns and Luyengo arrears, whereby copper valued at E274 518 was stolen.
Theft of motor vehicle - One suspect was arrested in connection with the Theft of five Mazda Demio two cars which were stolen in different instances in the Hhohho Region, valued at E315 000. Two cars were recovered.
Car hijacking - Four suspects were arrested and charged for hijacking of a Honda Fit and VW polo at Mantabeni and Lobamba areas, both cars valued at E87 500.
Money laundering - Four suspects were arrested and charged for money laundering after they bought clothing items at The Gables using proceeds of stolen money from Standard Bank ATM bombing.
Stock theft - Two suspects were arrested for stealing eight herd of cattle on different occasions at Mantabeni, all valued at E60 000.
Fraud - Three suspects were arrested and charged for defrauding a company a sum of E215 630.07 through payment of ghost employees. Suspects are awaiting trial.