Brothers cause terror at Mahwalala
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MBABANE – Some residents of Mahwalala, one of the most infamous neighborhoods in the country, have been left with permanent scars on their bodies inflicted by two brothers known for terror.
Three residents of the area have told the tale of how they have been subjected to violence that left them nursing life- threatening injuries from the two brothers identified as * Vusi and * Lwazi from Mahwalala Zone 6. One of the victims, Lusekwane Sikhondze, alleged that last week Sunday he was stabbed twice on the head and on the face by the two after they confronted him and an argument erupted. The bone of contention was that in 2014, Sikhondze was allegedly attacked and assaulted by the two brothers claiming that he had bullied and stabbed by them.
Sikhondze said after the matter was reported to the police, the officers did not find any evidence to substantiate the claim that he had indeed been stabbed by either of the brothers. He narrated that he then opened a case of assault against the two brothers and claims that instead of police officers charging them; they ( him and the two brothers) were put in an office and told to reach an amicable decision on the matter, so they may co- exist in the community. He said the two apologised to him and even though he was clear that he wanted justice to be served, they were allegedly let off the hook. Four years later, Sikhondze said he was again attacked by the two brothers over the same occurrence that brought them before the police in 2014. “Vusi confronted me and we had a heated argument. I lost it and smacked him with a bush knife out of anger. He opened a case at the police station and I was charged for assault and later sentenced to five years imprisonment with a fine option of E4 000 which I paid and gained liberation,” he shared. Sikhondze said it was until this past Sunday that he was again attacked by the two brothers, leaving him with stitches in the head and face. He narrated that the two also attacked and allegedly stabbed one Sicelo Mavuso and his only sin was being seen with him ( Sikhondze). Mavuso, according to Sikhondze, was severely beaten and was advised not to go to the police because they ( two brothers) were friends with a well known police officer stationed in Mbabane and they were unstoppable. Illuminating that familiar statement made by the two brothers about being friends with the police and unstoppable was Banele Dlamini from the area who was allegedly assaulted and stabbed by the two brothers over a month ago. He shared that he was also attacked for spending much of his time with Sikhondze and he too was also stabbed on the head.
The 22- year- old said he spent about 10 days in hospital after the incident but he did not go to the police because it had become known that taking the legal route against these two was a waste of time as they would quickly get out of police custody no matter how serious the matter was.
“I starred death in the face and spent almost two weeks admitted in hospital and getting treatment. I tried confronting him to find out why he stabbed me and instead of being straight up with me about the whole ordeal, he tried showing emotions of remorse and gave me a brother- to- brother speech, inviting me to come to him anytime I needed assistance. I could tell that he was simply trying to ensure the matter is forgotten ,” he said.
Another victim, identified as Mabura, also shared a similar story, only his story was different in that he didn’t know, to the present day, why he was attacked. The attack occurred about two months ago.
“I was confronted by one of the brothers * Lwazi , while we were enjoying alcoholic beverages. We had no issues whatsoever but he suddenly picked an argument with me, then ended up stabbing me in the stomach. I took to my heels while bleeding profusely and that is how I got away. They are known to be troublesome around the area and many people are terrified of these two as they are boastful about being known to the police and one can’t stand in their way,” he shared.
After the incident involving Sikhondze this past Sunday, the two brothers are said to have fled the area and comment could not be drawn from them as they were not found at their homestead on Friday. Sikhondze said he reported the matter to the area’s authorities seeing that he was not getting any assistance from the police. One of the people that Sikhondze reported to is Ward 1 Councilor Zephaniah Nkambule, who also serves as Mbabane Mayor and resident at Mahwalala before and after the incident. Ward 1 is inclusive of Mahwalala, Hilltop ( Zone 1) Nkwalini and Lomkiri Township. However, he could not be reached for comment as his phone rang unanswered yesterday. The violence comes at a time when the country is faced with political unrest that claimed multiple lives including that of Machawe Mhlanga of Hilltop, closer to Mahwalala. He was allegedly shot during the protests and sources said he was shot in broad daylight around Hilltop, allegedly by soldiers. Mhlanga was part of the protesting people at Mahwalala when he got shot. Meanwhile, stories of violence and deaths have been reported in the area over the years, making it one of the most notorious neighbourhoods in the country. Mahwalala, whose loose translation seems to mean darkness, was indeed engulfed by darkness in 2019 when two teenage girls ( both aged 13 at the time) were reportedly discovered dead by police and community members in the same area. It is suspected that the teenagers, who were enrolled at Nkwalini Primary School, were both raped before they were killed.
It is not yet clear how the suspect Colane Sihlongonyane who is still at large, killed the girls, as they did not have visible marks or stab wounds, but their underwear was torn with a sharp object.
* Not their real names