GANGSTER RIVALS - CARS BURNT DOWN AT KANDINDA

mbongeni@times.co.sz

KANDINDA –  A war is brewing here.

A drinking session that was co-incidentally attended by two gangster rivals ended unceremoniously when the two alleged enemies clashed over a blocked pathway.

So volatile was the clash, such two cars were burnt by an uncompromising angry mob. The movie-like attack took place on Friday night.

Yesterday, fuming residents barricaded  a gravel road of Kamlotjwa, at KaNdinda using logs and burnt tyres across it. KaNdinda is a community found in Ntontozi constituency. Its’ Member of Parliament is Moses Vilakati who doubles as Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

residents

The aggrieved residents argued that the Malkerns police officers were allegedly taking sides each time a case was  reported against a suspect accused of harassing residents and was a menace to society. The fed-up residents, especially the youth, claimed the protest would attract justice.

Indeed, over 15 police officers and warders were deployed in the area as early as 7 am to monitor and calm the angry residents.

When the Times SUNDAY team arrived at the location around 9 am, police officers, warders and the elders of the area were negotiating with the crowd not to take the law into their own  hands.   A resident told this publication that what angered them the most was   that, police officers did not effect any arrests on Friday night, even though they  allegedly had all the necessary  information warranting an arrest.  “What they did was record statements, leaving the person who committed the crime behind,” alleged the resident. Another witness explained that on Friday afternoon one Thokozane Hlophe had parked his Toyota Astra sedan in one of the homesteads where he, together with his friends, were enjoying alcoholic beverages.

The witness alleged that one Muzi Dlamini, who came driving in a Mazda Verisa sedan, decided to park behind Hlophe, blocking the driveway. However, Hlophe wanted to leave the place and approached Dlamini to move his car so that he can be able to pass through. “However, Dlamini refused to move his car, arguing that Hlophe was disrespectful and needed to get disciplined. The two exchanged heated words before Hlophe bumped into Dlamini’s vehicle, swerving it off the road,” alleged the witness.

He said that is when  all hell broke loose.He alleged that after crashing Dlamini’s vehicle, Hlophe sped off and parked his car in another homestead situated 500 metres away.

“Seeing that Dlamini and his friends were chasing him, armed with all sorts of missiles, he ran for his life and disappeared in a nearby bush. He had already left his car at a Dlamini homestead,” alleged the witness.

The witness further alleged that upon arrival to the car, Dlamini drove it and crashed it on a tree. The tree is situated a stone throw from the homestead where Hlophe had left it.

This is where it was burnt.

witness

“Angered by the burnt car, Hlophe, on the other hand, mobilised his team of friends. At around 7 pm, they went to Dlamini’s homestead, where they vandalised and burnt his car. 

The situation was so tense such that Dlamini and his family were saved by the swift arrival of the police. Again, there were threats made,” alleged the witness.

Another witness explained that when police officers arrived, the two vehicles had already been gutted by the fire. “Police again recorded statements and left. Their action caused more anger because no one was arrested after the commotion,” the second witness claimed. However, yesterday some officers who were found on the scene said both Dlamini and Hlophe were at the Malkerns police station for questioning.

Phindile Vilakati, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed the incident. She said police were still investigating the matter.

“We would like to warn the residents not to take the law into their hands. This is because the situation could  become  fatal if they decide to attack or revenge. Some proper channels or forums can be applied in cases where there are disputes. As police, we do not encourage violence. However, we will come up with a solution,” she said.

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