Africa-Press – Eswatini. The police made a silent breakthrough on Good Friday, March 29, in the arrest of two men who are accused of participating in terrorism activities which gripped the country during the 2021 unrest upwards.
The two are both from the Shiselweni region.
Percy Machocco Sithole and Xolani Simelane yesterday appeared at the High Court facing 12 charges, ranging from terrorism, murder, and attempted murder.
Sithole was found in possession of 31 live rounds of ammunition and had his cellphone seized.
They appeared before High Court Judge Mumcy Dlamini.
Sithole and Simelane are also alleged to have burnt government machinery worth E1.6 million, burnt five houses valued at E3.5 million, shot five cows valued at E75 000, a calf valued at E7 000, one 5 000 litre tank with fitting valued at E10 000 and one 10 000 litre tank with fittings amounting to E15 000.
They are alleged to have shouted, ‘solidarity forces have arrived’ and instructed people at the homestead to inform the chief justice ‘to release Bacede and Mthandeni’.
According to the charge sheet, on October 15, 2021, Sindzandlala government depot was burnt and items that were burnt included a Timbre truck, single diff registered GSD 523 WO, white in colour.
Also, a front loader grader yellow in colour registered GSD 051 WO, as well as a dump truck Bell yellow in colour registered GSD 369 WO.
The total value of the machinery is E1 696 105.
It is alleged that the evidence shows that people from different places, such as Mbelebeleni, Jerusalem and Dzakasini gathered at Mbulungwane Shopping Complex.
The group is said to have started toyi-toying on the road and burnt some tyres on the same road, something which made motorists not being able to use the road as it was completely closed by the group.
The State alleges that there is evidence that the second accused, Xolani Simelane, was the one who was burning the tyres.
Diesel
First accused, being Sithole, then joined the group below Mbulungwane and when he did, Simelane was carrying a five litre filled with diesel.
Along the way the group demanded more tyres from a Mkhonta homestead and the Mkhonta family gave them.
It is further alleged that the group then went to the Sindzandlala government depot under the ministry of public works and transport and burnt it.
The State again says there is evidence that shows that Sithole and others who are still at large were the ones who actually burnt the said machinery.
It is said the matter was then reported to the police and investigations have been ongoing since then.
It said the accused could not be arrested immediately after the commission of the offences and information gathered was that the accused had left the country to South Africa.
On November 5, 2022, at Dumako, the Dumako Police Post and the RDA were attacked allegedly by Sithole who was in the company of others.
During the attack, shots were fired which resulted in the death of Mfanasibili Gina, who was a tractor driver, and a police officer sustained injuries during the attack.
The police officer was conveyed to hospital for treatment and cartridge cases were retrieved by the police from the scene of crime.
On November 21, 2022, Sithole and others are further alleged to have arrived at Jerusalem at night.
The accused allegedly fired gunshots and instructed everyone in the homestead to come out of their houses.
Burnt
This is where it is alleged that they burnt the five houses, shot at cows, a calf, a 5 000-litre tank and one 10 000 litre tank.
Police were called and they arrived at the scene and cartridge cases were recovered at the scene of crime.
On March 29, 2024, the police received information through their intelligence that Sithole was coming to Eswatini.
Acting upon the information, the police arrested Sithole while at Mbulungwane.
Upon his arrest, he pointed 31 live rounds of ammunition buried in the yard at his parental homestead.
On the same day, Simelane was also arrested at Dzakasini.
The prosecution was granted a detention order of Sithole’s cellphone and the 31 live rounds of ammunition he was allegedly found in possession of.
They were taken back to custody and their next date with the court is next week April 9.
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