5 kids injured in house bombing
SITEKI – Five school-going children were injured when the house they were sleeping in was bombed, at Ndlandlameni.
The bombing of the house was part of violent activities by residents who are in dispute over chieftaincy boundaries between Ndlandlameni and Macetjeni. The children sustained minor injuries through fragments of the windowpanes after the house they were sleeping in was petrol-bombed by a group of 12 men.
Ndlandlameni community is under the late Chief Prince Logcogco, while Macetjeni Umphakatsi is under Prince Mshengu. The community is situated within the boundary separating the two chiefdoms. The children sustained the injuries in their hands and feet when jumping through the windows to escape the flames. Some of the children are pupils at Gilgal Primary and High schools. They were taken to Gilgal Clinic for medical attention and were later discharged.
According to Mthokozisi Msibi, brother to Melusi, whose house was petrol-bombed, the incident happened around midnight. The matter was reported at the Siphofaneni Police Station, where a statement was recorded yesterday afternoon.
Narrating the ordeal, Mthokozisi said they heard whistles when the petrol-bomb was being thrown through the windows and they suspected that the arsonists were many in number.
He mentioned that the dispute between the two chiefdoms was the cause of the violence, as four homesteads were targeted at Ndlandlameni for paying allegiance (kuhlehla) to the Ndlandlameni Chiefdom. He narrated that this incident was the third one as in 2018; three homesteads were attacked and torched, including his home.
Mthokozisi said at his homestead, during that year (2018), a four-room house was petrol-bombed together with a church and a rondavel.
Adding, Mthokozisi said the Macetjeni community members had instructed them to pay allegiance to the Macetjeni Umphakatsi.
He stated that they were no longer safe in the area, as a group of about 30 men armed with bush knives were occasionally seen roaming around.
Mthokozisi also openly stated that they had since resolved to arm themselves in their homes as a precautionary measure. He stated that no one had died but the children were injured. “This is an old issue as around 2018, three homes were attacked and the police did not arrest the culprits. Last night, my brother also managed to escape. I later went to the police station to record a statement and we are still to meet as a family to discuss a way forward,” he said.
According to Mtfongwaneni Indvuna Yenkhundla Majahembutfo Dlamini, who visited the Msibi family after the incident, the family lost a bed, fridge, a television set, a television stand, a laptop, chairs, clothes, a stove, books, documents, food, kitchen unit and utensils that are worth over E50 000, excluding the structure. “This is a long-standing issue that could have been resolved without the damage to property as the two RAs were supposed to summon the two chiefs to find a lasting solution. I am optimistic that the office of the RA will act swiftly,” he said.
Dlamini said Ndlandlameni Chiefdom was under his constituency.
Macetjeni Umphakatsi Indvuna Sipho Mamba could not be reached as his mobile phone was not available on the network.
Serious
However, Macetjeni Chiefdom Bucopho, Mduduzi Fakudze described the incident as a serious one that required urgent attention. “I am yet to meet the family as I got a report that a house was bombed. We hope the traditional authorities from the two chiefdoms will resolve this matter amicably to avoid worse from happening,” he said.
Ndlandlameni Umphakatsi Indvuna Mamba’s mobile phone was not available when several attempts to call him were made yesterday.
Lubombo Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Msibi said he would make a follow-up on the latest developments in the matter. “I haven’t heard anything for now. I am aware of the dispute, though,” he said.
His counterpart in Manzini Regional Administrator, Chief Prince Gija said he had been made aware of the dispute but said it needed both chiefdoms to meet and resolve it. “I haven’t been informed about the arson attack but I know that the two chiefdoms are fighting over boundaries. It is unfortunate that the King has not blessed a chief for Ndlandlameni Umphakatsi, following the demise of Prince Lugcogco. Peace should be promoted together with development of the citizens of these chiefdoms than to resort to war. I will follow up on it,” he said.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter, stating that no arrest had been made by yesterday. Such violent incidents are on the rise as early this year, two high school pupils were badly burnt while others survived the fire when a two-bedroom house they were sleeping in was petrol-bombed by unknown people at Gamula, near Big Bend.