2 HELD FOR HARBOURING 3 ESCAPEES

MANZINI - At least two men who allegedly harboured the three armed robbery suspects, who escaped from Matsapha Police Station, while they were on the run, have been arrested.

Last Tuesday, the three armed robbery suspects, who also face an attempted murder charge, among others, escaped from Matsapha Police Station. The trio is Siphelele Moses Simelane (19) of Mahamba, Khetha Mxolisi Zwane (29) of Mkhondvo and Bheki Mahhusha Gwebu (32), who hails from Ntshanini. However, they were re-arrested at Mbekelweni, in the Manzini Region, last Thursday night, after about three days on the run. According to an impeccable source, over the weekend, the police, through their investigations, ended up arresting Wandile Thwala (31) of Mbekelweni and Mfanukhona Mdziniso (23) of the same area and further slapped them with a charge of harbouring.

Harbouring

The source said the duo was accused of allegedly harbouring the three armed robbery supects. It is worth noting that Mbekelweni, where the duo lives, is the same area where the three armed robbery and attempted murder suspects were arrested last Thursday night. The duo eventually made their first court appearance yesterday at Matsapha Circuit Court, before Magistrate Mthokozisi Dlamini. According to their charge sheet, both accused persons are facing a charge of contravening Section 43 bis (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67 of 1938 as amended.

It is said that on September 27, 2022, while they were at Mbekelweni, in the Manzini district, they allegedly acted together in furtherance of a common purpose, harboured the three armed robbery and attempted murder suspects, who had escaped from the lawful custody of the police. The charge sheet said they allegedly did this (by giving) the trio a place to stay while knowing that they had escaped from the police. It also said they failed to report them to the nearest police station and by so doing, they contravened the said Act. The court remanded them in custody until October 13, 2022. On the other hand, the three suspects, who were allegedly harboured by the duo, jointly face seven charges; two of contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act (found in possession of guns), two attempted murder, two armed robberies and of contravening the Opium and Habit Forming Drugs Act (found in possession of dagga, weighing about 3.6kg, without a valid licence or permit). Now they face added charges of escaping from police custody, found in possession of dangerous weapon and dagga.

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