KILLED AFTER WINNING E1 000, PHONE AT CARDS

(ABOVE & BELOW) Police officers arrested a man at the scene after he made fun at the deceased. (Pics: Sabelo Mazibuko)

MBABANE – A 28-year-old man was yesterday killed in cold blood during a game of cards at the Mbabane Bus Rank.

Melusi ‘Mangena’ Khumalo, a well-known gambler in the Mbabane central business district gambling hot spots, was killed after winning E1 000 and a cellphone during a game known as ‘phozasha’.

It has been alleged that Khumalo’s crime was pulling out of the gambling game after winning the cellphone and the cash.
Yesterday Khumalo, together with his friends, were gambling near the Mbabane Bus Rank toilets.
After having enjoyed a winning streak in the gambling game, Khumalo is said to have pulled out, something that did not go down well with one of the gamblers who had lost.

 “They had a heated argument next to the toilets, much to the surprise of onlookers. Many people quarrel here but end up sorting out their differences,” narrated an airtime vendor who witnessed the incident unfold.
The deceased is originally from Mgazini in Mankayane but had been renting a flat at KaKhoza in Manzini.

The eyewitness said he then saw the assailant draw a knife and stabbed Khumalo once in the chest and Khumalo collapsed to the ground in pain. Street vendors said the assailant was apprehended by members of the public and was severely assaulted. Some claimed that he was lucky to survive as people pounced on him and wrestled him to the ground and severely assaulted him.

Khumalo’s lifeless body was then loaded into the back of police van and ferried to the hospital after police seemed to have concluded their investigation at the scene.
The assailant was arrested and taken to the police station to be formally charged.

Identify, avoid con games - cops

MBABANE – The police have warned members of the public to identify and avoid con games.
Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba said scam and con artists were more prevalent than ever before.
He said in some instances, the advent of the internet has made it easier for con artists and gamblers to make quick money.

“It is far easier today to anonymously reach out and trick someone into relinquishing private information or access to bank accounts. Since our society has evolved into a credit-based culture, identity theft has taken on a whole new meaning. With just a few strokes on the computer keyboard, a person can unwittingly provide all the personal identifiers necessary for someone to steal their identity and good name,” said the deputy PRO.

How to identify, avoid being
a victim of these scams:
Avoid making deals on the streets
Avoid using short cuts when buying goods and services
Avoid quick rich schemes
Avoid meeting people who do not have offices
Avoid using agencies when possible
Avoid starting and finishing deals using emails and cellphone numbers without using other means to verify the authenticity of the person or the organisation the dealer is claiming to be representing.
Do not be quick to pay out before verifying all facts.

18-yr-old accused of murder

MBABANE – The bus rank murder was allegedly committed by an 18-year-old teenager who wanted back items that he had lost in the game of cards.

Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed the matter and said street gambling was not allowed.
The deputy PRO also confirmed that the deceased and his friends were gambling at the bus rank through a game of cards.

Arrested

Mamba said the 18-year-old suspect has since been arrested and will today appear at the Mbabane Magistrates Court. Mamba said the suspect, Lundi Msibi, is from Siphocosini.
“We gathered that he is from Siphocosini but is said to be renting a flat at Mangwaneni.

“The deceased had won money and a cellphone. The assailant wanted his belongings back and that is how the argument ensued,” said the deputy PRO.

Gambling

He said they were totally against street gambling as it is illegal and bound to cause such incidents.
Mamba further thanked members of the public who were quick to round up the suspect before police arrived at the scene.
He said they always arrested street gamblers and that they will intensify police presence and arrest gamblers in town. He said the gamblers would entice members of the public to bet and end up losing their belongings.

“In most cases, the gamblers walk in groups to entice members of the public to gamble.
“It is normal that you win the first few games but as the game continues you lose and that is how fights ensue.

“This is the first incident where someone has been stabbed to death concerning gambling, however, there have been other cases where people reported con artists for robbing them their money,” said Mamba.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: