MANZINI – Suspects in the fatal shooting of the President of the Eswatini Kombis and Buses Allied Workers Union (EKABAWU) were arrested and appeared in court yesterday.
The EKABAWU President, Mcolisi Fakudze, was killed on April 18, 2026, at Eteni in Matsapha. Fakudze was a kombi driver. The pair accused of being involved in the killing is Mandla Mfanasibili Malindzisa, aged 40, of KaShewula, under Chief Mbandzamane Sifundza and Themba Dumsani Dlamini, (39), of Ngudzeni, under Chief Maloyi II. Malindzisa stands accused of murder, while Dlamini faces charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the charge sheet presented before the court, Malindzisa is alleged to have, on April 18, 2026, at Eteni in Matsapha, shot and killed Mcolisi, a kombi driver.
In addition to the murder charge, both accused were jointly charged under the Arms and Ammunition Act. The court heard that on April 27, 2026, at Manzini Central Filling Station, the two men were found in possession of a Star pistol with a scratched serial number, as well as one 9mm live round of ammunition.
The Crown alleges that the firearm and ammunition were possessed without the required licence or permit and that the accused acted in furtherance of a common purpose.
The prosecution proceeded to place before the court several items believed to be linked to the case. These included a white Toyota Corolla, the black Star pistol with its defaced serial number, a grey tracksuit, grey and blue Nike sneakers and a hooded sweater. Each item was presented as part of the evidentiary material that the State intends to rely on as the matter progresses.
Legal representation for the accused was confirmed, with Malindzisa represented by Sanele Mabila, while Dlamini was represented by Simo Simelane.
It was Simelane who addressed the court in a bail application on behalf of his client, arguing that Dlamini was not implicated in the murder charge, but only in the firearm-related offences.
Simelane submitted that the charges faced by his client were bailable and that there were sufficient grounds for the court to exercise its discretion in granting bail.
He further indicated that Dlamini could potentially assist the court as a witness, should the need arise, emphasising that his continued detention was not necessary for the interests of justice.
The State did not strongly oppose the application and after considering the submissions, the magistrate granted him bail in the sum of E3 000.
The decision effectively distinguished the legal positions of the two men, with Malindzisa remaining in custody due to the seriousness of the murder charge.
Before the matter was adjourned, the prosecution indicated that it may move an application on May 8 to separate the trials of the two accused.
Such a development would allow each case to be heard independently, particularly given the differing nature and gravity of the charges faced by each individual. While the court proceedings laid out the legal framework of the case, the events that led to the fatal shooting reveal a deeper and more troubling narrative rooted in disputes within the kombi transport industry.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
