Africa-Press – Eswatini. A civil servant employed by the Ministry of Education and Training has been arrested for allegedly stealing laptops valued at over E160 000.
Gcina Frans Dlamini (35) of Mvutjini under Chief Zembe is employed by the ministry as a handyman. A handyman is a person employed to do occasional domestic repairs and minor renovations. He is alleged to have stolen six laptops, which were being kept at the ministry’s storeroom in Mbabane on August 3, 2023. The exact value of the gadgets, according to the charge sheet is E166 200. He yesterday moved an urgent bail application at the High Court, which is, however, being met with resistance from the prosecution. In his application, the accused submitted that on August 23, 2023, he was arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), who subsequently charged him with the offence of theft.
Attention
He brought it to the attention of the court that he was currently detained at Sidwashini Correctional Facility. Dlamini submitted that pending finalisation of his case, he was desirous to be admitted to bail. It was further his contention that there were sufficient grounds warranting the High Court to release him on bail upon such terms and conditions it deemed fit and appropriate. “I am innocent of the charge against me in that I never committed same. I am confident that I will be acquitted at the conclusion of my trial, since I never committed the offence that I am charged with and I have a bona fide defence to the charge,” argued the accused. Throughout his bail application, Dlamini insisted that he never stole the laptops as alleged by the Crown in the charge sheet. “I never at any stage stole the items as I have no access to the storeroom where they were kept. I am employed as a handyman and I am grateful for my job, which helps me to provide for my family and I respect my employer,” averred the accused.
Bail
Dlamini told the court that in the event he was admitted to bail, he would not abscond trial, breach any of his condition or skip the country. In a verge to convince the court that he was not a flight risk, Dlamini submitted that he was a born and bred liSwati who had a family and a home in the Kingdom of Eswatini. He claimed that he did not have any ties outside the jurisdiction of the court. “There is no likelihood that if released on bail I may interfere or attempt to influence or intimidate the Crown’s witnesses. I do not even know who they are. Further, I wish to clear my name with my employer so that a relationship of trust can exist once more,”submitted Dlamini. It was further his submission to the court that, in the event he was released on bail, there was no likelihood that he might endanger the safety of the public or any particular person. Dlamini claimed that there was also no likelihood that he might commit any offence, undermine or jeopardise the objectives or proper functioning of the criminal justice system in the event he was released on bail. In motivating his bail application, the civil servant went on to bright it to the attention of the court that he was a sickly person and was being treated for tuberculosis.
Conditions
He argued that the conditions at the Correctional facility, where he was currently detained were not conducive for a person in his state of health. The accused claimed that, at the Correctional facility, he was made to sleep on a mat on the floor, where he was exposed to the cold weather conditions. “I have three minor children who are school-going and who are dependent on me for support and maintenance. My continued incarceration is greatly prejudicial to them as they will not have anyone to provide for their needs,” he argued. He entreated the court to released him on bail as his continued incarceration would result in him losing his job as he would be absent from work. The prosecution is yet to file its papers outlining its reasons why it will not be in the interest of justice to release Dlamini on bail.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
