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GUNSHOTS, E38.5M DAMAGE AT ESWATINI BEVERAGES - MANAGER

23/03/2022 08:30:00 Kwanele Dlamini

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MBABANE – Eswatini Beverages Risk Manager Sifiso Simelane yesterday told the court that he heard several gunshots when the police and soldiers dispersed the people who set the company on fire.

Simelane is one of the witnesses who testified during the trial of Hosea and Ngwempisi Members of Parliament (MPs), Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube at the High Court yesterday. The witnesses told the court about what they witnessed at their places of employment during the riots in June and July last year, which culminated in looting in various establishments. Simelane told the court that the damage caused at Eswatini Beverages was above E38.5 million. When cross-examined by Advocate Jacobus Van Vuuren, who represents the MPs, Simelane said he saw the people who caused the damage at Eswatini Beverages. He said they were many and he could not estimate how many they were because a lot was going on. “I found them at the site,” he said. The advocate asked Simelane if the police came to disperse them and he responded to the positive. “I suppose the police were armed,” enquired the advocate. Simelane concurred with the advocate. Advocate Van Vuuren further said he had been instructed that there were also soldiers who were armed and Simelane agreed with him.

Soldiers

“Did the police and soldiers fire at these people?” asked Advocate Van Vuuren. Simelane told the court that he did not see anyone being shot. He admitted that he had heard gunshots being fired when the crowd was being dispersed. “Did you hear gunshots?” further enquired the advocate and Simelane said he did. “Did you see anyone injured or anyone who died?” asked Advocate Van Vuuren. “I did not see anyone get injured or killed,” responded Simelane. The advocate continued to ask: “Were you too scared to look?” Simelane said he was at the gate, far away from the action. The advocate was not done as he continued to ask Simelane if human remains were found during the clean-up operation after the incident and he stated that none were found. He said he was part of the clean-up operation and mentioned that it was still ongoing.

In his evidence-in-chief, Simelane submitted that on June 27, 2021, a truck belonging to the company got stuck on the road and a crowd gathered and helped themselves to 750mls of Castle Milk Stout. “The next morning I got a call from the Logistics Manager, Simanga Shongwe, who reported to me that they had arrived where the truck was stuck. He said they were facing a problem because there was a group of unknown people who were attacking them. I called the police and proceeded to where the truck was stuck. I found the employees standing away from the truck and the unknown people were busy removing Castle Milk Stout 750mls bottles from the truck. I ascertained if any of the workers were injured. They were not injured and advised them to move away from the truck,” he narrated. He said the people moved away from the truck when they saw police officers approaching.

The following day, according to Simelane, after he had knocked off, he was called by a security guard who reported that one of the windows had been hit with a bottle that had a smell of fuel. He said he reported that to the police. “Police came to the plant, did an inspection and left. I requested the police to assist us as I felt unsafe as a result of the bottle that had been thrown at the window.” He said there was a need to beef up the security. “Before I got home I received another call from security to report that they were seeing a large number of people. I realised that the unknown men were carrying bush knives and axes. The guards had called Fire and Emergency Services. When they tried to extinguish the fire, the fire personnel were attacked by the people who entered through the fence. The fire personnel fled as they were attacked with stones,” said Simelane.

He also informed the court that the police, Correctional Services officers and soldiers came in groups and he called the fire personnel to return because they would be safe with the security agents around. He told the court that they came back after a long time. “They said they feared for their lives because they were being attacked. The fire went on for days because what was burning was inextinguishable. I had to report to the owners of the business.” Simelane continued to tell the court that he received another call from a security guard who was reporting that their colleague was injured after slipping on plastic that had already been burnt. “I found her in pain. The guards had worked 25 hours because when they tried to leave they were blocked by the invaders.

“Eventually, we were able to take them home in groups. Others were injured, treated and discharged. One of them was hit with a plank. Another was hit with a full beer bottle. The workers were traumatised. I was also traumatised. I went home and my phone kept ringing non-stop, my supervisors wanting to know the situation inside,” he narrated.