Firefighter, 2 others arrested for E110 000 robbery
MANZINI- “It’s a double impact!”
This was the general assertion by Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe Dlamini on the benefits of planting trees. To mark International Day of Forests, the minister planted trees at the Swaziland Conference of Churches yesterday. The visit by the minister is part of an ongoing national tree-planting campaign by government.
Making her remarks after the ceremony, the minister encouraged emaSwati to plant trees in order to benefit from the oxygen they generated, as well as the fruits they bore, which could be used for commercial purposes.
Mindful
The minister mentioned that Christians should also be mindful that trees were beneficial for medicinal purposes, as seen during the COVID-19 era, where umhlonyane was used to treat flu-like symptoms.
The minister shared that she would also be planting trees at her home to enjoy the benefits. She encouraged everyone to also play their part in making a difference to the planet by planting trees.
Destruction
Meanwhile, Swaziland Conference of Churches Vice President Sabelo Mdluli, said it was a known fact that the destruction of trees was one of the main factors contributing to climate change. He expressed that they were overjoyed by the tree-planting ceremony as it was a reminder of when God created
MBABABE – An on-leave firefighter has been arrested for allegedly committing robbery at Lwandle, in the Manzini Region.
Sibusiso Malambe (48) of Ndlalambi is alleged to have robbed Chico Vilane a sum of E110 000 on January 24, 2023.
He allegedly committed the offence together with Gcina Kunene (41) of Mbelebeleni under Chief Gcokoma and Doctor Tfwala (28) of Ticantfwini under Chief Mandanda.
They are alleged to have used force and violence, while armed with hunting knives (Rambo), spray guns and taser, to induce Vilane to submit to the taking of his money.
Malambe, who is stationed at the Fire Department in Matsapha, and his co-accused were arrested by Buhleni Police Post officers on March 18, 2023 at Buhleni. Upon being arrested, the accused were handed to Manzini police, where they were formally charged with robbery.
They appeared at Manzini Magistrates Court on March 20, 2023 and during their remand hearing were remanded in custody at Manzini Remand Centre.
Firefighter
Malambe has filed an application for bail at the High Court. He is represented by Bonginkhosi Xaba of Xaba Attorneys. The firefighter said he would plead not guilty during the trial. He alleged that he was hired by his co-accused, who told him that they wanted to collect money they were allegedly owed by the complainant, Vilane.
Malambe told the court that he has been a government employee since 1994. He said he currently earned E14 000.
The accused submitted that he would not evade trial as a permanent employee of government. The father of six submitted that his application was urgent since he was on leave. He told the court that he was supposed to return to work next Thursday. He also submitted that he was sickly and was receiving treatment in Nelspruit, South Africa. the earth. Mdluli stated that nature enabled life, which was why God
“While receiving medical treatment in Nelspruit for my illness, I learnt of my pending arrest but still came back to the country upon leaving the hospital. Clearly I have demonstrated that if granted bail I shall not evade trial,” Malambe submitted.
The Crown yesterday filed a notice to oppose Malambe’s bail application. Meanwhile, the 12 community members of Mponono, who allegedly killed a man for stealing a pig in the area, have been granted bail. Mathokoza Mkhwebane, who was allegedly found with the carcass, was allegedly attacked by about 200 members of the community under Mankayane.
Assaulted
Mkhwebane was assaulted with knobkerries, sticks, bush knives, fists and kicks all over the body. The incident happened on February 19, 2023 at Mponono in the Manzini Region.
The accused persons are Mzayoni Hlophe (75), Sibusiso Nkambule (48), Sipho Nkambule (48), Mcedisi Maseko (37), Sandile Vilakati (37), Sandile Mavuso (34) and Dadewabo Khumalo (31).
Others Mthunzi Hlophe (31), Bongani Sithole (28), Phiwayinkhosi Hlophe (23), Ncamiso Nkambule (21) and Bayanda Nkambule (19).
High Court Judge Maxine Langwenya granted them bail fixed at E50 000. The judge ordered them to pay E3 000 in cash and provide surety for the balance.
They were arrested by Mankayane police on February 20, 2023 and on February 23, 2023 they appeared at Manzini Magistrates Court. The court remanded them in custody pending committal to the High Court.
The 11 men and one female denied committing the offence and stated that they would plead not guilty during their trial. They said they had a good defence to the murder charge.
In their application for bail, which is opposed by the Crown, Sipho informed the court that the deceased, Mkhwebane, was known as a notorious thief in the area. created it before mankind.
“This tree-planting ceremony is the beginning of many more, as we will be going out to plant trees in various churches. We will be planting both hedges and fruit trees,” the vice president said.
Statistics
Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Forestry Officer Jele said Eswatini aimed at planting trees that were equivalent to the statistics of the country’s population, which was estimated at 1.2 million.
“We are encouraging every liSwati to plant a tree, or more. This is in line with this year’s theme, which affirms that a tree is life,” Jele said.
He said on the day of the incident, members of the community, with the assistance of community police members, intended to apprehend Mkhwebane and surrender him to members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
According to the arrested community members, whenever Mkhwebane was in the area, incidents of theft would be on the rise and he was usually the main culprit, hence the decision to apprehend him.
Sipho informed the court that they apprehended him on the suspicion that he had stolen a pig that belonged to a community member. “In fact, his live-in-lover stated that he had stolen the pig,” said Sipho.
He alleged that a trail of blood led to the homestead of Mkhwebane’s live-in-lover, where they found the pig’s carcass. He said they called the police and the live-in-lover was taken in for questioning.
“It was then that a message was conveyed to the community members to be on the lookout for the deceased person for purposes of apprehending him.
Apprehended
“Unfortunately, upon the deceased being apprehended, things went out of control. A mob of community members, who were not less than 200 started assaulting the deceased person. Anyone who tried to calm the situation was threatened with violence by the angry mob/community members,” narrated Sipho. He and his co-accused said they did not take part in the assault but were shocked spectators. “I will parade witnesses in this regard, who were watching the whole incident and were equally shocked,” Sipho submitted. The father of six informed the court that he is unemployed and his continued incarceration would have adverse effects on his children, whose livelihood depended on him.
He argued that exceptional circumstances warranting his release on bail exist, especially that he is the father of minor children. He undertook to abide by all bail conditions in the event that he was granted bail.