Crime

MBABANE – National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police Vusi Masango has called for public assistance in reporting law enforcers and others involved in illegal mining and illicit activities.

Masango sent the distress call following emerging allegations that some of those engaged in these acts enjoy the protection of law enforcers.

He said this call seeks to rebuild public confidence, which has been eroded by past reports of misconduct by some law enforcers.

The investigation launched by the NATCOM is subsequent to allegations purporting that law enforcers were behind the illegal mining of minerals in the country. The illegal mining is said to include gold and green chert.

An ongoing investigation into illegal mining in Eswatini has revealed unusual behaviour by police officers, as detailed in a supporting affidavit by a soldier.

Recently, this publication reported that according to Second Lieutenant Mthobisi Dlamini, soldiers discovered a South African-registered Nissan NP200 with bags of gold soil near the old Pigg’s Peak Mine.

When two police officers arrived, they quickly examined the bags, declared they were looking for green chert and sped away. The police later made a U-turn and followed the soldiers who had found two more vehicles filled with illegal mining equipment and green chert. The police then insisted that the confiscated items be taken to the Pigg’s Peak Police Station, an order that conflicted with the soldiers’ instructions to take all recovered items to their barracks.

Dlamini informed the court that, upon approaching the Nissan, they observed bags loaded with a white, soft soil – later identified as gold soil – spread across the loading bay.

The driver, who identified himself as Siyabonga Nkosi, explained he was waiting to collect bags of gold soil, having been hired for the task without knowing the origin of the material. His passport was confiscated for verification.

Aside from the green chert and gold illegal mining, there has been a sequence of activities, which involved police officers caught contravening the laws of the land that they ought to serve and protect.

Last week, police officers from Manzini were arrested and face 16 charges of extortion and corruption, following investigations into their alleged illegal activities. Two of the officers, Wandile Mlilo and Zama Mhlanga, were brought before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi. A third suspect, Simanga Dlamini, had all charges against him withdrawn by the Crown.

According to the charge sheet, Mlilo is linked to all 16 counts, while Mhlanga faces six. The total amount extorted from businesspeople ranges from as little as E50 to E1 500, totalling E5 350. The officers allegedly approached business owners, claiming their trading licences or other documents were improper. Instead of following legal procedures, it is alleged that they demanded money to overlook these supposed violations and avoid further action. The pair is currently out on bail.

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Eswatini cops to collect evidence on Matlala ID

MBABANE – Local police will be travelling to South Africa to collect evidence on Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala having Eswatini national documents.

An expose’ by the Times of Eswatini revealed that Matlala possesses South African and Eswatini identity documents. This has resulted in a Home Affairs official informing this publication of what transpired.

This publication has reported that the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) is also investigating if some of its employees abused their privilege and colluded with a civil servant stationed at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the issuance of national documents to the alleged South African ‘crime boss’ -Matlala.

Meanwhile, the NATCOM, Vusi Manoma Masango, said Matlala is almost complete. He said what was stalling it at this point was the need to attain some of the tactical items linked to the case, which is in South Africa’s court.

Masango said the bail application had brought forth allegations that Matlala possessed local documents and there is a need to establish their authenticity.

*Full article available in our publication.

National Commissioner of Police Vusi Masango. (Pic: File)