Suspect petrol bombers now face three charges

MBABANE – The suspected petrol bombers have finally been committed to the High Court where they face three charges of terrorism.

Zonke Tradewell Dlamini, from Ekwendzeni, and Bhekumusa Dlamini, from Mpofu, both in the Hhohho region, were arrested earlier this year and charged with seven counts of terrorism for allegedly petrol bombing houses belonging to Member of Parliament Bheki Mkhonta of Mtsambama and the late David ‘Lion’ Shongwe who was Mayiwane MP.

They are also said to have planted petrol bombs in high-ranking police officers’ homesteads, including that of former Police Public Relations Officer, Senior Superintendent Vusi Masuku.

However, according to the indictment, they are facing three charges of terrorism, for allegedly bombing the homes of Mkhonta, Shongwe and Masuku.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions received permission from the Chief Justice, Michael Ramodibedi, to prosecute the two. They appeared yesterday before Nkululeko Hlophe for a remand hearing until next week October 21, 2010.

In all three counts of terrorism, they are said to have contravened Section 5 (1) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. The crown is represented by Phumlani Dlamini in the matter, while the accused are represented by Bhekisisa Zwane and Mary Pais Da Silva.

Dlamini stated that police officers are still finalising their investigations in respect to other charges since they were initially charged with seven counts of terrorism for allegedly planting bombs in other police officers’ homesteads. He stated that they are currently waiting for forensic audit results from South Africa regarding the other counts.

He stated that the other counts may be reinstated if police investigations uncover positive results.

The accused were recently denied bail by Justice Nkululeko Hlophe on the grounds that their release might pose a danger to public safety and peace.

　

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