OVER E400 000 DAMAGE AS CARS BURNT AT CTA

MBABANE – Seven cars were yesterday morning burnt at the Central Transport Administration (CTA) Mbabane in what police suspect may have been a politically influenced attack.

The arson attack is believed to have happened at about 5am and no suspect was immediately held for the attack which has been attributed to the ongoing violent political protests in the country. The attack seems to have been well coordinated as the burnt vehicles were parked in the middle of the parking bay where scrap cars to be  auctioned  are kept. CTA purchase, maintain and dispose of government vehicles and other related equipment as well as to provide fuel for government vehicles. CTA also provides vehicles on short term hire to government ministries and departments. The burnt vehicles consist of three quantum mini buses, two sedans and two vans. Information gathered at the scene was that the arsonists entered the garage by using one of the openings at the side of the fencing.

The police further suspect that the people that burnt the cars were familiar with the CTA surroundings because they were able to leave the premises without being noticed. Police officers responded promptly to the scene and eyewitnesses said when the police arrived they fired warning shots but could not apprehend the criminals.

cops investigating

CTA Officer in-charge Saul Dlamini was found at the scene with police officers and confirmed the attack. Dlamini said at the moment they did not have suspects but the police will be launching a full investigation. “I was called early in the morning and I started at the police station before coming here. I cannot say who did this terrible act, because currently there are violent protests around the country and we all know that there are people who have been stealing from the CTA so it’s a bit difficult to say who might have done this,” he said. He revealed that the damage is worth over E400 000 and some of the cars belonged to the Ministry of Health. “The damage is above E400 000 because the cars destroyed were top of the range. The vehicles include a Ford Ranger, Kia sedans and quantum mini buses. We are hoping that the law will take its course and the suspects will be apprehended and brought to justice,” he added.

Some of the police officers found at the scene did indicate that it was suspected that the attackers are a part of protestors from the nearby Msunduza Township. It is also suspected that the intention was to burn down the entire CTA property. The yard where the cars were burnt has over 70 other cars awaiting auction. Over a 100 cars were burnt in different import car garages in Matsapha by the protestors over the past week. A government bus, trucks and import vehicles were also burnt when the protests turned violent. The police confirmed the incident and said they were  still investigating.

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