COP SHOP SHOOTOUT: SUSPECT ARRESTED

SIPHOFANENI – The suspect who allegedly harboured the two South African men, who were shot dead by police following a shootout at Mbabane Police Station, has been arrested.

On Friday, this publication reported that the suspect was on the run and that police were searching for him.
It was further reported that police believed that the two South African men were sheltered at the man’s homestead before they allegedly committed the robbery and before the night of the shootout with police.

Sources close to police investigators confided to this publication that the suspect was arrested by the police while he was near Siphofaneni town on Friday.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that the suspect had been arrested.
“The one arrested is the fourth suspect who did not go to Mbabane but (he) was with the three (other suspects) in committing the Siphofaneni robberies,” Vilakati clarified.

She mentioned that police were still searching for the other suspect, who fled following the shootout at the police station.
The suspect still on the run is a liSwati national and is believed to have been wounded following the shootout at Mbabane Police Station.

Hearing

Meanwhile, the suspect who allegedly harboured the South African robbers was brought before court for a remand hearing on Saturday.
He was identified in court papers as Bhekithemba Mkhulisi of St Philip’s area, near Siphofaneni.

Mkhulisi appeared before Magistrate Dumisani Mazibuko, who was sitting at the new Big Bend Magistrates Court.
He was charged with nine counts of robbery and a single count of theft of a motor vehicle.

The magistrate remanded Mkhulisi in custody until tomorrow, pending the finalisation of investigations by the police.
Meanwhile, sources close to police investigators confided to this publication that Mkhulisi has pending cases before courts.
According to police investigators, Mkhulisi was recently released on E7 000 bail by the Pigg’s Peak Magistrates Court after he had been arrested for 17 cases of robbery.

Dead

The two South African men who were shot dead by police and a liSwati, who is still on the run, allegedly robbed Buy Cash Hardware at Siphofaneni of E13 000 before hiring a taxi to transport them to Mbabane.

The deceased South African men have since been identified as Zipho Nonyane (39) and Ntokozo Nkosi (40).
Following the Siphofaneni robbery, police in the area are said to have tipped off their counterparts in Mbabane, after getting information on the destination of the suspects.
Mbabane police then mounted a roadblock along Malagwane hill and the taxi transporting the three men did indeed come by.
Escorted
This publication reported a week ago that police escorted the three men to the Mbabane Police Station but when they arrived, the men reportedly refused to raise their hands and lie on the floor.
Instead, they drew firearms and fired at the police.
It was reported that the police station was riddled with bullets and reporters from this publication counted at least 15 bullet holes at the reception area of the police station.
The suspects managed to flee, allegedly with a police rifle (R4), but they were later shot dead by officers in another shootout at Motshane area, on the outskirts of Mbabane city.

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