Mabila ill, ATM bombings case postponed

MBABANE – The trial of the four men accused of ATM bombings with intent to steal and theft has been postponed to March as Advocate Mduduzi ‘ Tsotsi’ Mbila was reportedly indisposed.

The accused persons are Sicelo Msibi ( 26), Muziwandile Lukhele ( 33) Given Mfanakazane Mavuso ( 19) all from Tjakastard in South Africa and Lindani Zitha ( 28) of Nkhaba, who is also employed by Eswatini Television Authority ( ESTVA).

Mab ila was represented by Linda Dlamini from Linda Dlamini and Associates. Dlamini started by confirming that the matter was due for trial before submitting that the advocate was unwell. He, therefore, applied for the postponement of the matter to another date.

In response to the application, Mncedisi Dlamini, who is representing the Crown, told the court that the defence had engaged him prior concerning the predicament.

The Crown and the defence agreed on March 7, 2023 for resetting.

Acting Mbabane Principal Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati said there was no need to argue about the application as nobody was to be blamed for an illness.

Recovery

Vilakati said anyone could fall sick. He said t he parties should pray for the recovery of Mabila.

The quartet is accused of bombing ATM structures belonging to the First National Bank, Standard Bank, EswatiniBank and Nedbank in various locations within Mbabane.

It is alleged that the quartet used explosives to blast the ATM structures. In the first count, it is alleged that the accused persons blasted the FNB ATM structure situated at the Buy and Save Spar causing a damage of E450 000 on August 6, 2022.