SENIOR SOLDIER AMONG 7 DEATHS ON XMAS WEEKEND

MANZINI – A senior military man, who was the treasurer of a stokvel at the army infantry school in Mbuluzi, took his own life after allegedly misappropriating the cooperative’s money.

The senior soldier was among seven deaths that were recorded over the Christmas weekend. These deaths are a 41.7 per cent decline from those recorded in December last year, where 12 people died. The deaths recorded by the police included a sudden death, suicide, motor vehicle accidents and stabbings. The decline in the deaths recorded in the past four days, which marked the Christmas weekend, also reflected a decrease in murders when compared to the same period last year.

Increase

However, there has been an increase in road traffic accidents by 50 per cent, as two fatalities due to automobile accidents were recorded. It is also worth noting that no fire and drowning incidents were recorded in the past weekend. Meanwhile, the senior soldier supposedly committed suicide at the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) shooting range, which is a stone’s throw from the army’s infantry school. According to a source, the senior soldier, whose rank was Lance Corporal, allegedly took his own life by ingesting a poisonous substance. The source claimed that this happened after the military man failed to give satisfactory answers regarding the missing stokvel money, which was supposed to have accumulated to about E100 000.

The source disclosed that since the year was about to end, the stokvel members expected to be called to an annual general meeting (AGM), to discuss the finances, so that they could share the dividends ahead of the festive holidays. However, he alleged that while some committee members were engaging him regarding calling the meeting, they learnt with shock that he was found dead at the UEDF shooting range area. “His demise meant that some of the members of the stokvel and their families had a bleak Christmas as they did not get their savings of the year plus interest,” the source said.

The demise of the military man was confirmed by UEDF Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo. She said as the army, they sadly confirmed the death their serviceman.
She said even though they were at a loss for words at this point, and painful as it was, the army invested immeasurable resources in training and educating its personnel. Therefore, she said, consequently, the passing on of one of their own would have immediate and long-term devastating ramifications to the State, UEDF and his  family, regardless of the cause. Again, Khumalo said even though the training battalion had forwarded a not-so-detailed report on the nature of the death, the Public Affairs Office would not want to comment on the alleged cause for now, as it remained allegations whose veracity is still to be tested and verified by the pertinent structures.

Family

“May I, on that note, kindly request that we afford the family and all those whose lives were touched by the deceased, the respect and time to mourn the demise of their loved one. May his soul rest well,” Khumalo said. Also, among the recorded deaths was that of a man who reportedly shot himself dead as he tried to flee from a mob that was baying for his and accomplice’s blood. The man was said to have been armed with a 12 bore shotgun which, while aiming it at the crowd, he mistakenly shot himself. As this happened, his accomplice is said to have fled the scene. However, it is said his attempt to evade the mob, which comprised of residents of Madlangampisi, in northern Hhohho, led to exhaustion and dehydration.
As such, it was said when the mob finally caught up with him in the presence of the police, he collapsed and was rushed to Dvokolwako Health Centre, where he died. These deaths were said to have been recorded on Christmas Day.

According to sources, the pair was being attacked by the mob on suspicions of housebreaking. They were accused of breaking into a school and also one of the homesteads in the area.
Another death recorded over the weekend emanated from an incident where a man reportedly drank whiskey and beer simultaneously at KaLomvovo, Hluthi in the Shiselweni Region. He is said to have then complained of chest pains before collapsing and dying. Also, at Makhwelela in the Shiselweni Region, on Saturday, a 31-year-old man of the area was found dead with multiple stab wounds on the body. On Friday, at about 6pm, a 22-year-old man of Fonteyn sustained serious head injuries after he boarded an unknown motor vehicle in the boot. This happened along Ngwenya/Lush Hair Care Company. Subsequent to his injuries, he was conveyed to Mbabane Government Hospital where he was admitted and later died while undergoing treatment.

Knocked down

Also, on Christmas Eve, at about 7:55pm, a 52-year-old man of Mzimnene was knocked down by a Hyundai Accent sedan, driven by a 39-year-old man of Hawane, while trying to cross the road. The accident happened near Mafutseni Ranch, along Luve/Mafutseni MR5 Public Road. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where he was confirmed dead upon arrival. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the deaths through press releases.

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