NATCOM: Arson cases declining but ...
SITEKI – “We are still not out of the quagmire of the resurgence of waves of arson attacks despite the notable decline of such incidents nowadays.”
National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM) William Dlamini made this observation when asked about his insight regarding the state of affairs when it came to the spate of arson attacks that have been witnessed in the country since June last year.
The police boss said, even though there was a notable decline recently, the police would continue to exercise vigilance while executing their work, in apprehending the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.
Dlamini said it was on record that the perpetrators were still hell-bent in continuing with their mission of burning structures belonging to government and businesses and homesteads of high profile people.
The NATCOM urged the public to come forth, with information that could lead to the apprehension and the prosecution of the culprits, hence a ransom of E50 000 was put forward to anyone who could assist police with information that could bring the perpetrators to justice.
Worth mentioning was that recently, equipment worth millions belonging to Inyatsi Construction Company was burnt by unknown arsonists, as well as homes belonging to Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David Ngcamphalala and Mandlangempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso Nxumalo.
Former Senator and Acting Chairman of Sive Sinyinqaba’s Mercedes Benz and a mini-truck were the latest movable properties to be burnt by unknown people.
The police chief said police were also working tirelessly to apprehend the people behind the inciting of violence in the country.
He said these people were doing so not in the interest of seeing the country’s socio-economic landscape improving but watering down government’s efforts.
He pointed out that of late, the police had recorded a surge in killings of one another by members of the public armed with sharp weapons when enjoying their alcoholic beverages.
NATCOM said the police were also hot on the heels of people suspected to be armed with guns used to commit criminal activities like heists and armed robberies.
“I urge the nation to avoid the burning of structures as such is criminal and those behind that should know that the laws will catch-up to them. We are not over the wave of arson attacks and as police, we urge people to follow the right channels, in voicing out their grievances than resorting to the burning of structures,” he said.