Community

MBABANE – Community leaders from Zombodze Umphakatsi have appealed to residents not to target the family of the man accused of murdering four women.

The community leaders instead urged them to allow the justice system to take its course.

The appeal follows the arrest of Nkosingiphile Zwane, a church leader who allegedly led police to a shallow ditch near the Apostolic Faith Church International at Mfabantfu, where the decomposing bodies of four women were recovered.

Speaking during a media briefing yesterday, Zombodze Umphakatsi Inner Council Indvuna Mphatsakahle Dlamini said the community was devastated by the allegations and distanced itself from the accused’s alleged actions.

“We are shattered as the Zombodze community. We strongly condemn these actions. He acted on his own and not on behalf of the community. We also realise that the image of our community and that of royalty has been tarnished,” Mphatsakahle said.

He said while emotions were understandably running high, residents should not direct their anger towards the accused’s relatives. “The matter is already with the relevant authorities. We plead with the community to remain calm, allow justice to run its course and let the justice system work independently. The family of the accused should not be attacked or harassed because we believe he acted on his own,” he said.

Chairman of the Zombodze Umphakatsi Inner Council Alson Dlamini echoed the sentiments, saying there was no evidence suggesting that the accused’s family had any involvement in the alleged crimes.

“We appeal to the nation and especially to members of our community that the accused’s family must be exempted from attacks or discrimination. We have every reason to believe he acted alone,” he said.

The chairman also apologised to Their Majesties, the nation and the bereaved families. “As a community, we are distraught by what has happened. We extend our sincere condolences to the affected families and apologise to the nation. Most importantly, we apologise to Their Majesties because this happened in an area close to the royal residence.”

He further appealed to members of the public to assist children left motherless by the deaths. “We also urge those who are able to assist the children left behind by the deceased women to come forward and offer support.”

The community leaders said they had not yet visited either the accused’s family or the bereaved families because of cultural protocols governing the conduct of traditional leaders following deaths.

Alson said representatives would be sent at an appropriate time to convey condolences.

The accused remains in police custody and is expected to appear again before court.

The accused was arrested after allegedly leading investigators to a shallow ditch adjacent to the Apostolic Faith Church International at Mfabantfu, where the decomposing bodies of four women were discovered.

Investigators reportedly made a breakthrough after one of the victims sent a photograph of the accused to a relative shortly before she disappeared after allegedly meeting him through Facebook.

*Full article available on Pressreader*  

Members of the Zombodze Umphakatsi Inner Council and community police at the press briefing yesterday. (Pic: Mlondzi Nkambule)

Upon the start of the tour of the crime scene at Apostolic Faith Church by the leaders of the Mfabantfu community, members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service were already on the scene on a separate assignment of their own. (Pic: Mlondzi Nkambule)