Head teacher’s murder: Suspect living in fear
SITEKI – “I am receiving threats and being accused of killing the head teacher. I have been advised to go into hiding for my safety.”
This is a claim by one of the 25 respondents in the restraining court order issued by the Siteki Magistrates Court last month. The respondent further said ever since the accusations came about, he had been in hiding during night hours to avoid being attacked.
Mfan’khona Sibandze is a resident at Nceka area under Siphofaneni Inkhundla and he is also the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Lubombo Regional National Organiser.
Sibandze, together with 20 other residents, appeared before Principal Magistrate Dumsani Magagula a fortnight ago, following a restraining order granted by the court to the late Mabhensane Primary School Head teacher Sayinile Irene Sikhondze.
According to Sibandze, he was now in hiding in fear for his life, after being informed that there was a police officer who wanted him dead for being one of the ringleaders of the mob of over 200 residents that went to confront the late head teacher after being implicated in stock theft.
Danger
He claimed that he had been advised not to sleep at home as that would pose danger for him as he was wanted dead.
“I won’t be home but will be in the country. I was told that there is a police officer who wanted me dead after being fingered for being behind the killing of the head teacher. I was told by community members that they overheard that there was a police officer who wanted me dead because I am being accused of having a hand in the murder of the head teacher,” he said.
In addition, Sibandze alleged that the community member told him that the police officers who issued the threats were driving a van with a foreign registration number plate and in plain clothes armed with rifles and pistols.
Asked if he had reported the
Inkhundla.
threats, Sibandze said he was currently consulting with his lawyer, who would accompany him to the Siphofaneni Police Station to make a statement.
He also stated that he was yet to report the matter probably after their appearance at the Siphofaneni Magistrates Court next Tuesday.
“For the past couple of days I have not been sleeping at home but spent time there during the day. However, I have been advised to go into hiding for my safety,” Sibandze said.
Nceka Umphakatsi Headman Meshack Mngometulu advised Sibandze to report the matter at the chiefdom.
“He has not yet reported the matter but should do so. The chiefdom deserves to know anything that bothers residents so that we can see what we can do,” he said.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati also advised Sibandze to report the threats to the nearest police station.
“Any kind of threats should be re‘peaceful’ ported to the police so that they can take action based on information that has been shared,” she said.
Worth mentioning is that the head teacher will be laid to rest on Saturday after a night vigil slated for tomorrow evening at her home situated at Nceka area.
Meanwhile, the head teacher was recently shot dead by an unknown person at her homestead amid an existing restraining order against 25 residents.
The respondents from Nceka community in this matter are Pilosi Masina, Mazambane Mfankhona Sibandze, Mcolisi Khumalo, Thokozani Dlamini, Mongi Khumalo, Zakhele Sikhondze, Themba Mathabela and Bongani Mganga Thwala. Others are Gungubele Tfwala, Bhekimpi Lukhele, Sipho Simelane, Casper Mhlanga, Zodwa Sibandze, Mbhuluko Ndwandwe, Mfankhona Shongwe, Bhekane Mdluli, Doctor Dlamini and Sigodo Simelane.
Restrained
The rest of the restrained Nceka residents are Phumlane Simelane, Phumzile Gwebu, Mandla Dlamini and Senzo Dlamini.
The trio of Mbhekeni Simelane, Sifiso Mamba and Mphikeleli Mamba are Mabhensane community members.
Those who failed to make it to court last Monday due to work-related commitments were Senzo Dlamini, who reported that he was working in South Africa, and Gungubele Thwala who was admitted at Mbabane Government Hospital, while there was no report on the absence of Doctor Dlamini and Sigodo Simelane.
The respondents told the court that they would not be represented by a lawyer, but they would individually conduct their own defence in the matter.
They responded after the principal magistrate told them that they could engage an attorney to represent them as a group or individually.
The court order reads, “Having heard the applicant and there being no representation on behalf of the respondents, it is hereby ordered that the respondents or anyone else acting in their behest, are directed to desist from setting foot at the residence (homestead) of the applicant situated at Nceka area.”
It states that the respondents were directed to desist from setting foot at the business premises of the applicant situated at Nceka area.
It also states that the respondents were directed to desist from setting foot at the workplace of the applicant, being Mabhensane Primary School.
It further states that the respondents were directed to keep away from the applicant wherever she might be for at least a minimum distance of 100 metres.
The court order also directed the respondents to desist from harassing, intimidating and abusing the applicant physically, verbally or in any way whatsoever in a manner that might or would cause imminent harm in her wellbeing or safety of her property.
It concluded by stating that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) was directed to serve and explain the contents of this order and its existence to the respondents for the purpose of compliance and filed with the clerk of the court the return of service of this order.
Mob
Worth mentioning is that this court order was issued at the backdrop of the mob attack of about 200 residents at the head teacher’s home a fortnight ago, implicating her in stock theft.
The residents from three chiefdoms namely, Mphumakudze, Maphilingo and Nceka were on board nine vehicles and a mini-truck.
The school administrator, Sikhondze, runs a restaurant and a liquor shop. After the mob was dispersed by the police, the angry mob resorted to looting stock at the restaurant and liquor shop belonging to her.
Worth mentioning is that two respondents; Mfan’khona Sibandze and Mbongeni Thwala, asked the court to correct their particulars reflected in the court order as the written names were wrong as Sibandze is called Mfan’khona not Mazambane, while Thwala asked that the name of Bongani be replaced with that of Mbongeni Patrick.