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Eswatini
PIGG’S PEAK – A suspect was killed during a car chase and shootout with the police at Emsindza, near Dvokolwako, on Sunday.
Another was arrested, while the third managed to elude arrest, as police, with the help of community members, closed in on the three suspects allegedly linked to robberies and theft of guns at the home of Pigg’s Peak Acting Mayor Absalom Ndlovu. The deceased suspect, whose identity had not been ascertained by yesterday, died while receiving treatment at Dvokolwako Health Centre.
Sources narrated how members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), who were investigating the theft of guns belonging to the acting mayor, received a tip-off on the location of the suspects.
Confront
They teamed up with community members to confront the suspects.
The guns had been stolen during a housebreaking and robbery incident at the Glen Township home of the acting mayor last Thursday.
During the robbery at the acting mayor’s home, the three suspects are said to have jumped over the fence and found his wife alone.
They are then said to have assaulted and tied her up before breaking Ndlovu’s safe to steal his nine guns, which comprised of pump action rifles and pistols.
Sources have revealed to this publication that after the shootout, the police were able to recover certain firearms, two of which were allegedly those stolen from Ndlovu.
The retrieved guns were reportedly taken to the police laboratory for forensic analysis, which was to determine if indeed they belonged to the acting mayor. On Sunday, sources said the REPS received a tip-off about the suspects after they had allegedly stolen a hearse at Ekhaya Funeral Services in Pigg’s Peak. The trio is said to have stolen the hearse on Sunday, at around 2:30am, at the mortuary. The incident was also confirmed by Ekhaya Funeral Services Manager Musa Vilakati.
“It is true that there are people who stole a hearse at the mortuary on Sunday morning. They also stole money amounting to E7 900,” said Vilakati.
The manager also disclosed that during the robbery at Ekhaya Funeral Services, the suspects tied up the lone security guard, who was on duty, before stealing the car and cash.
“The police have also informed me that they were able to find our hearse around Dvokolwako. They have asked me to come to Dvokolwako to identify the vehicle. I have not yet been able to go there due to other work commitments, but am planning to go there soon,” he said. The hearse is a black Nissan X-Trail SUV model.
The sources said the trio allegedly used the car to commit three other robberies around Phuzumoya and Mliba.
Tipped-off
“The police were eventually tipped-off after the suspects had committed a third robbery at Mliba. They committed the other two at Phuzumoya,” said the source. The REPS is said to have coordinated an apprehension mission, which resulted in the