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NHLANGANO – The unavailability of network for online services forced accused persons who were granted bail and fined, to a spend the night in jail as they could not pay at the Revenue Offices.
The Shiselweni Region’s Revenue Offices personnel yesterday turned back emaSwati who had gone to seek services, in particular those who were from court. It was said that online services could not be accessed, hence they were turned back.
Restored
Some people were seen waiting outside the offices with the hope that the network would be restored but in vain. One of the accused persons, had been out on E5 000 bail for being found with dagga, but had lost the revenue receipt. He returned to court yesterday for his sentencing and was sentenced to E5 000 fine. He was supposed to get a reprint at the Revenue Office for E50, however, since there was no network, he had no choice but to be booked in at His Majesty’s Correctional Services.
Sentenced
This was the same case for a man who had been sentenced to six months in prison or E800 fine after he was involved in an accident. He had to spend the night in prison as a result of the network issue. It was noted that both the court clerks and the police denied taking people’s monies to grant them liberation for the day. This was after cases of corruption rocked the magistrates court wherein a police officer was arrested for allegedly releasing an accused person who was supposed to pay E15 000 fine. Court personnel were also investigated for cases of missing money in connection with unpaid fines and bails.