ARSONISTS SET SUGAR CANE ALIGHT

SITEKI – Vast tracts of sugar cane fields were set alight by arsonists at St Philip’s last Saturday, causing damage estimated to be worth millions.

It is suspected that the arson attack emanates from a protracted dispute among two rival groups of sugar cane farmers in the area.
The dispute, which is said to be over a host of issues including land, is reportedly being dealt with by the courts.
According to sources, the arsonists set alight a couple of sugar cane fields before the blaze spread to other cane fields.

The fire, a source said, was eventually controlled and subsequently put out by personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Police Deputy Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said there were no casualties from the arson attack, except for the cane that was burnt.
She said police investigations suggest that the arson attack was an act of sabotage carried out by one of the groups involved in the dispute.

Vilakati said since the dispute between the rival groups of farmers was currently being heard by the courts, the arson attack would be reported so that the arsonists may face contempt of court charges.
“They are in contempt of court because while the court is dealing with the matter they take the law into their own hands by launching arson attacks,” said Vilakati, while also stating that the arsonists were still at large.
The sugar cane fields are under KaNgcamphalala Chiefdom, which is under the authority of Chief Mshikashika Ngcamphalala.

Earlier this year, some structures at the KaNgcamphala Umphakatsi were torched.
Three members of the Communist Party of Swaziland were arrested in connection with the arson attack and they were later charged with arson and other charges.
The case is pending before court and the suspects were released on bail.

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