MPAKA CRIME RATE REACHES SHOCKING LEVELS

MPAKA – Has Mpaka become Eswatini’s crime-infested area? The residents and businesspeople of the area believe so, considering the escalating criminal activities in the vicinity. Mpaka is situated in the Lubombo Region, near Malindza.

Statistics that have been compiled by the concerned residents showed that robbery is the leading crime since 2017.
 The statistics show that there were 27 robberies committed in the area from last year to date.

When the area was visited last Friday, it appeared that the offences were committed at the shops and streets, where foreign nationals were a target. A recent robbery incident was committed at Mpaka Filling Station, where security guards were hacked with bush knives by armed robbers.

The incident happened in full view of some staff members who worked night shift. The garage owners, who are still traumatised, are not yet ready to talk about the incident. As a result they referred this reporter to one of the liSwati managers, who also showed some signs of trauma when reminded about the incident.

hacked

“We have since installed buglar bars and we knock off early in fear for our lives. However, our safety is not guaranteed judging from the manner in which the thugs robbed the shop recently. The video is clear on how they entered the shop and hacked the security guards on the day in question. Their act has shown that they do not care about human life. It is clear that they might come back anytime,” said the manager, who preferred anonymity.

Asked about the condition of the hacked security guards, the manager said they were recuperating. He said they had not yet received any feedback from the police after recording statements, which was why they still feared for their lives.

The armed robberies were followed by housebreaking with intent to steal and theft which stood at 22 incidents.
Evidently, two more shops owned by Asian businessmen were broken into. In an interview with the businessmen, they confirmed having reported the house-breaking cases to the police. However, they said they had not received any feedback.

removing

One of the businessmen alleged that the thugs who gained entry through the ceiling after removing corrugated iron sheets, stole groceries valued at over E10 000, E1 500 cash from the till and cellphones with airtime.
He said most of the stolen items were food-stuff and cigarettes. It appeared that the thugs who used the same modus operandi proceeded to a nearby shop and stole the same items.

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