4 MEN ACCUSED OF BOMBING ATMS CHARGED WITH 17 COUNTS

MBABANE - The four men who have been arrested in connection with ATM bombings around the capital city yesterday appeared in court and were charged with 17 counts.

The counts include malicious injury to property, robbery, kidnapping, possession of illegal fire arms and explosives and breach of the Immigration Act. They are Sicelo Msibi (26), Muziwandile Lukhele (33) Given Mfanakazane Mavuso (19) all from Tjakastard in South Africa and Lindani Zitha (28) of Nkhaba, who is employed by Eswatini Television Authority (ETVA). The quartet is accused of bombing ATMs structures belonging to the First National Bank (FNB), Standard Bank, EswatiniBank and NedBank in various locations within Mbabane.

Explosives

It is alleged that the quartet used explosives to blast the ATM structures. In the first count, it is alleged that the accused persons blasted the FNB ATM structure situated at the Buy and Save Spar, causing a damage of E450 000 on August 6, 2022. However, no money was stolen. It has been alleged that the explosives damaged the shop glass window causing E400 000 worth of damage. The use of the explosives resulted in the quartet being charged with contravening Section 8 (1) (b) of the Explosives Act of 1961. On the same date, the accused persons are said to have proceeded to Lewis Furniture, where they allegedly damaged glass windows valued at E24 000.

Activities

The charge sheet reflected that most activities took place on August 19, 2022. In the first instance, it is alleged that the quartet used an unknown object to damage the NedBank ATM situated at the Swazi Plaza in Mbabane, causing a damage of E5 000. It is alleged that the accused persons proceeded to EswatiniBank, where they allegedly used an unknown object to damage the ATM, causing a damage of E13 000. On the same day, the quartet is alleged to have proceeded to the Mbabane Industrial Site where they blasted the Standard Bank ATM structure, causing E758 000 worth of damage.

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