CLEANER, GUARDS ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF E3.6M CIGARETTES

MBABANE – You had to miss it not to be amused by it. When Zodwa Sibandze of Madulini, who was a cleaner at the state warehouse in Matsapha dipped her hand in boxes which bore stickers of a brand of cigarettes and fished out shredded pieces of fabric in multiple colours, all present in Court C burst into laughter.

High Court Judge Nkululeko Hlophe had to remind everyone to behave. Sibandze had been asked by Crown Counsel Ayanda Matsenjwa to show the court the contents of the cigarette boxes.

The judge was presiding over the matter of security guards, who were stationed at the warehouse, and are alleged to have colluded with a Mozambican man they identified as Zega to steal E3.6 million worth of Ramington Gold cigarettes, which were kept in the storehouse.
The cigarette,s which were contained in 367 boxes, had been confiscated at the border gates while being smuggled into the country.
The security guards are Ntombi Mdluli of Mkhonza and David Mlangeni of Sigangeni. They were arrested with Sibandze and Patrick Adams of Mozambique.

Sibandze, who is an accomplice witness, was giving evidence yesterday. She alleged that the idea to steal the cigarettes was communicated to her by Mdluli, who had been in touch with Zega, whose whereabouts are unknown. Zega is alleged to have suggested that for the plan to work, they should work together with the night security guard.

The cleaner said when she was first approached by Mdluli about what she referred to as ‘the deal’, she pointed out that they could not steal the cigarettes on their own. She also expressed her worry since, according to her, there were still issues surrounding the consignment of cigarettes.

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