Ͷ „‘gus …‘ps demand „ri„e ˆr‘m m‘t‘ristǡ arrested

MBABANE - Four bogus police officers have been arrested for demanding a bribe from an unsuspecting BMW driver at a filing station.

They are Mcolisi Simphiwe ‘Vista’ Mbuyisa (38) of Vusweni, Emmanuel ‘Boss’ Sengwayo (31) of Ngculwini, Nhlanhla ‘Maphanga’ Dlamini (37) of Moneni and Sabelo ‘Mdrai’ Mdluli (30) of Timbutini.

It is said that the quartet misrepresented to Sikhumbuzo Matsebula that they were police officers who had come to seize his red motor vehicle, BMW E30 325i, he was driving.

Claimed

It is said that the quartet claimed that the motor vehicle had been used in the commission of serious crimes in Cape Town, South Africa.

They are said to have then demanded a bribe amounting to E4 000 in order to let him go, while at the Engen Filling Station in Mbabane. The quartet is said to have obtained from Matsebula the amount of E4 000 as a result of the misrepresentation.

Appearing before Mbabane Magistrate Innocent Motsa charged with theft by false pretence, the quartet pleaded guilty. The Crown accepted the plea without leading evidence. The Crown also applied for the compensation of Matsebula.

Leniency

Through their lawyer, Sinakekelwe Mhlanga, the quartet pleaded for leniency and further made an undertaking to compensate the complainant. They stated that they considered paying back the money even before the Crown moved the application. They implored the court to consider that they hired a lawyer, meaning they took the charges levelled against them seriously. The quartet submitted that they had school-going children.

They stated that they had already apologised to Matsebula.

They were sentenced to five months imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E800 each. The court ordered the Crown to make sure that Matsebula was compensated.