OSSU cop’s bail conditions amended

MBABANE – Senior Superintendent Vusi Enock Zulu will now report at the Pigg’s Peak Police Station instead of Matsapha Police Station.

This comes after the court was informed that Zulu was currently on leave and his place of abode was in northern Hhohho. He was yesterday in court for his remand hearing.

As part of his bail conditions, he had been ordered to report at Sigodvweni Police Station once a month.

This aforementioned condition was yesterday amended by Judge Nkosinathi Maseko, who ordered Zulu to now report at Sigodvweni Police Station once a month.

It has been reliably gathered that Zulu’s leave days are up till January 2022.

Zulu (58) - the second-in-command at the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) – is accused of burning Mathangeni OK Foods Supermarket.

The offence was allegedly committed at the end of June 2021 when various properties were burnt during the civil unrest in the country.

Zulu’s bail amount was fixed at E50 000. However, he paid E4 000 in cash and the balance was in the form of surety.

The senior superintendent has been charged for allegedly contravening Section 5 of the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. He is alleged to have burnt goods amounting to E8 million at OK Foods Supermarket at Mathangeni.

The charge sheet states that Zulu, while on duty, intentionally and unlawfully threw a CS canister grenade inside the supermarket and which then caught fire.

A CS canister grenade is used in spray form by many police forces as a temporary incapacitant and to subdue attackers, persons, or civil protesters.

Indicted

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sandile Dlamini, has summarily indicted the accused.

Zulu, according to the Crown, was one of the officers who were detailed to maintain law and order in Matsapha.

On the day he allegedly threw the grenade inside the supermarket, there was looting at the OK Foods Supermarket.

He is alleged to have entered the shop and threw the grenade.

Meanwhile, in his bail application, Zulu averred that he was innocent of the charges and during his trial he would enter a plea of not guilty.

(File pic) Enock Zulu talking to head of CID in the Royal Eswatini Police Service, Clement Sihlongonyane, who is also the investigator of the case against Zulu, during a court appearance.