OSSU COP ARRESTED FOR OK FOODS SUPERMARKET BURNING

MANZINI – A police officer based under the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) was arrested for the burning of Mathangeni OK Foods Supermarket during the recent unrest in the country.

The name of the 58-year-old police officer is known to this publication but will not be revealed for now as he is yet to appear before a court of law. According to impeccable sources, the officer, who is a member of the police paramilitary wing based at Ngonini, was called to the Police Headquarters in Mbabane yesterday morning and upon arrival, he was shown security video footage depicting what transpired on the day the shop was looted, vandalised and burnt. It was gathered that in the video footage, he was allegedly seen throwing a grenade inside the shop where there were looters. According to impeccable sources, the grenade reportedly fell on some papers inside the shop and started the fire which eventually burnt the shop. It was gathered that on the day of the incident, the police officer was on duty and it was reported that he was trying to disperse the looters when he threw same.

Video

According to impeccable sources, when the officer left his base at Ngonini, he left as an officer, but later returned as a suspect. The impeccable sources said the officer was arrested on the strength of the video footage. He was yesterday detained at the Mafutseni Police Station pending his court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court. The officer has reportedly been charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, which means he will have to move his bail application at the High Court. This means he has become the third person to be arrested and charged for contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act in the aftermath of the unrest that ensued in June and July in the kingdom. The other two are Members of Parliament (MPs); Hosea Constituency MP Mduduzi Mabuza and Ngwempisi Constituency MP Mthandeni Dube. Meanwhile, another MP who was charged for contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act is Siphofaneni Constituency MP Mduduzi Simelane. However, his whereabouts are unknown and remains a fugitive, according to the police.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. She said a police officer was currently assisting them in their investigations.  Vilakati said more details would come up in court when the matter was presented before a judicial officer. This was when she was sought to assist with information on the exact charge preferred against the officer. Worth noting is that following the banning of the delivery of petitions with immediate effect by government towards the end of June, the country experienced unrest which claimed the lives of many people and resulted in vandalism, looting and torching of some properties. 

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