2 arrested for burning tyres, blocking road during protest
MBABANE – A protest action calling for the release of Members of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube that was allegedly held at Macengeni in the Manzini Region has seen the arrest of two men of Ekutsimuleni.
Mfanimpela Mlungu Mkhwanazi (27) and Derrick Billy Zeeman (23) are alleged to have blocked movement of traffic by burning tryes in the middle of the road. It is alleged that the duo with others, allegedly committed the offence after learning that Judge Mumcy Dlamini had dismissed the bail application of the two MPs.
Mkhwanazi and Zeeman are alleged to have committed the offences on September 14, 2021 and they now stand accused of contravening Section 15 of the Public Order Act No.12/2017.
The accused persons yesterday moved a bail application at the High Court after they were allegedly denied their right to move a bail application at the Manzini Magistrates Court.
Narrating events leading to their arrest, Mkhwanazi submitted that on September 14, 2021, while at Macengeni operating his spaza shop, an unknown kombi parked and three men alighted with a tyre.
Burning
According to Mkhwanazi, two of the men then began burning the tyre in the middle of the road and thereafter drove away. “I humbly submit that after the kombi had left the bus station, a police vehicle stopped and two plainclothes officers alighted and enquired from the people, who was behind burning of the tyres in the middle of the road,” alleged Mkhwanazi.
According to Mkhwanazi, a number of people left the bus station without answering the police officers. “The police officers then called me and ordered that I should assist them in putting out the fire and remove the tyre from the middle of the road. I then requested Zeeman who had come to buy airtime to assist me in helping the two police officers,” contended the accused.
He narrated to the court that after putting out the fire and removing the tyre from the road, he was shocked when the police officers informed him that he was under arrest for not wearing a mask in public and Zeeman was arrested for allegedly starting the fire.
Mkhwanazi highlighted that on September 15, 2021, they were supposed to make their maiden appearance at the Mliba Circuit Court but were informed that there was no magistrate to hear their matter hence they were driven to Manzini where they made their first appearance.