Times Of Swaziland: Limkokwing  petrol bombed'

Limkokwing  petrol bombed'
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KWANELE DHLADHLA on 01/11/2012 00:00:00


MBABANE - Arsonists on Tuesday evening set alight the office of Limkokwing
University of Creative Technology’s (LUCT) Campus Manager Zachariah Mthethwa
with what is suspected to be a petrol bomb.
Items gutted by the fire include two computers, telephone lines, a fax machine,
a printer, branded merchandise (T-shirts) and the office carpet. The total worth
of damage was estimated at over E40 000.
The Campus Manager said there were no signs that the alleged arsonists forced
entry into the administration offices.
"Whatever was used to start the fire was probably thrown into the office through
the window, according to my personal observation. However, we are still awaiting
a full police report that will help us ascertain the genuine cause of the fire
that wreaked havoc in my office," Mthethwa said.
Mthethwa declined to state possible suspects, saying such could jeopardise
police investigations.
"It would be premature to blame anyone for the incident just yet since we are
still shocked and trying to come to terms with the unfortunate incident. We hope
the police will make a breakthrough soon and let the law take its course,"
Mthethwa added.
Royal Swaziland Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Wendy
Hleta, said according to preliminary investigations by police bomb experts,
there had not been any explosion inside the office.
"We suspect that the room was set alight from outside. We are still
investigating the matter with to find out what may have been the motive to start
the fire and how the operation was conducted," Hleta said.
The Police PRO further stated that no arrests related to the incident had been
made yet. Police from the Bomb Disposal Unit took one of the computers for
fingerprints, and further forensic investigations.
Meanwhile, lessons continued undisturbed at the institution.
Since it was officially opened, the University has had over 16 protests staged
by students.
Five security guards ‘saw nothing’
MBABANE – There were five security guards on duty when the Limkokwing
University of Creative Technology (LUCT) was bombed but they all saw nothing.
The premises were guarded by Impulsive Security
Campus Manager Zachariah Mthethwa said when all the guards were questioned, they
said they were only alarmed after the office had already been set alight.
He said security might be beefed up to avert the possibilities of a similar
incident occurring in future.
Mthethwa said the university’s management would convene an urgent meeting
where issues of security at the institution would be discussed at length.
"Following the unfortunate incident, management will convene a meeting to find a
way forward and also see how the damaged property could be replaced," Mthethwa
said.
Seven Limkokwing students suspended
MBABANE - Seven students of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology were
suspended last week for allegedly inciting other students, among other charges.
However, this is not to suggest that they had anything to do with the burning of
the university.
The students marched to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to demand
their allowances a fortnight ago.
Sources said the students were served with suspension letters last week and they
were due to appear before a disciplinary hearing soon.
This is not the first time for the university to suspend students on charges
related to class boycotts.
Sometime this year, the Students Representative Council (SRC) was also suspended
for reportedly inciting students to boycott classes resulting in one student
being shot by police with a rubber bullet.
Before the march, sources said students disrupted lectures in an exercise they
dubbed as ‘vusela’.
During the protest, the students are alleged to have incited their colleagues to
participate in the strike action.
The university’s Campus Manager Zachariah Mthethwa said the charges preferred
against the students differed.
He said some of them were charged with vandalism of their colleagues’
property, injuring colleagues, and vandalising gadgets such as laptops and
cellphones.
However, the suspension has been viewed by some students as a way of silencing
them not to voice their grievances through picketing in future.
When the Campus Manager was asked if they permitted boycotts at the university,
he said: "Limkokwing is a private institution that does not believe in boycotts
and, therefore, does not allow boycotts but only permits dialogue towards
finding an amicable and lasting solution to issues relating to students and all
relevant stakeholders," he said.
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COMMENTS:
- This is a barbaric act and who-so-ever is behind this should be ashamed of
him/herself. The long hand of the law must take its course. This is bad!!!
November 1, 2012, 5:01 pm
- The Campus Manager is not realistic if he say Limkokwing embraces dialogue,
theoretically yes bt practically No. In Swaziland dialogue resolutions
awasentjentiswa
November 1, 20121, 5:01 pm, NTOKOZO SACOLO