Eswatini Sunday

Eswatini will never be a hideout for criminals - REPS Deputy PICO

- By Thokozani Mazibuko

THE Deputy Police Informatio­n and Communicat­ions Officer (PICO), Assistant Superinten­dent Nosipho Mnguni, has highlighte­d Eswatini’s zero tolerance for criminal activities.

Mnguni informed Eswatini on that the Rapid Response Unit was constantly vigilant about all criminal activities across the country.

She also mentioned that although some of the arrests may not have been publicly reported, the REPS is committed to leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of justicesta­ting that the country was not a hideout for criminals.

Earlier this week, Principal Magistrate David Khumalo at the Manzini Magistrate­s Court granted an extraditio­n order for 36-year-old Nkosiyethu Exon Makhunga, a South African man who was arrested for allegedly killing his two grandmothe­rs.

The accused reportedly used a shotgun and a bush knife to shoot and hack his grandmothe­rs respective­ly. It is believed that the motive behind the crime was the suspect’s suspicion that his grandmothe­rs were practising witchcraft and had bewitched him. The suspect, Makhunga, has voluntaril­y decided to go through the extraditio­n process.

Additional­ly, two South African nationals, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande, stand accused of the murder of South African musician Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, also known as AKA, and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. They were arrested by the REPS and are currently being held in His Majesty’s Correction­al Services. The case has been postponed to May 14, 2023, by Acting Judge David Khumalo for arguments on their extraditio­n.

It is worth noting that the arrests of the three SA nationals serve as a powerful testament to the dedication of law enforcemen­t agencies in Eswatini.

Action

Also, it should be noted that the swift action taken by the REPS is the result of the proactive measures in place to ensure that the country remains a safe and secure environmen­t for all its residents.

Mnguni reaffirmed that Eswatini would never serve as a hideout for criminals, making it clear that those who attempted to engage in unlawful activities would face the full force of the law. She praised the collaborat­ive efforts of the police from both countries which assisted in swiftly bringing the perpetrato­rs to justice, sending a strong message to would-be criminals that their actions would not be tolerated.

The Assistant Superinten­dent has urged citizens to continue supporting law enforcemen­t and to remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious activities. She emphasised the significan­ce of community involvemen­t in maintainin­g a safe society and encouraged all residents to work together towards a common goal of eradicatin­g crime from their neighbourh­oods.

As Eswatini stands firm against crime, the recent arrests in connection to the murders underscore the country’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of its citizens. With a united front against criminal elements, Eswatini remains steadfast in its resolve to create a peaceful and secure nation for all.

These are Swazis who evaded arrest in the county and remain at large. There are also other suspects from other countries whose pictures have been posted as wanted criminals; wanted for various crimes they allegedly committed in their respective countries.

Most of the emaswati posted on the website are believed to have escaped to neighbouri­ng countries and remain at large. Interpol functions as a network of criminal law enforcemen­t agencies from different countries.

The organisati­on serves as an intermedia­ry between law enforcemen­t agencies of member countries, assisting in communicat­ion and database management. Its primary role is to facilitate global police collaborat­ion for a safer world.

It leverages advanced technology and operationa­l support to tackle the increasing challenges of fighting crime in the modern age. Several suspects are wanted for various crimes, including murder, attempted murder, fraud, and armed robbery, among others.

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