Africa-Press – Eswatini. At least 34 murder cases have been reported in the country between July and August this year.
Fifteen of the cases were reported in the Manzini Region. A majority of the murders were committed by men, who were reportedly intoxicated. The most recent murder case is that of a 31-year-old man of KaKhoza who was assaulted with a brick by a man on Saturday night. According to KaKhoza community police member Alberto Khoza, the incident happened at a local drinking spot. It could not be ascertained what the bone of contention between the two men was. The police confirmed the murder and stated that the deceased was rushed to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where he was certified dead upon arrival. The suspect was reportedly arrested and is yet to appear in court.
Meanwhile, yesterday, the police reported a matter where a 43-year-old man of Mgamudze in Hluti was stabbed once with a sharp object in the neck by an unknown person. The deceased was rushed to Matsanjeni Health Centre, where he was also certified dead upon arrival. The police revealed that investigations into the matter were still ongoing. In another gruesome incident, a bricklayer was dumped in a river after being purportedly assaulted by a gardener, following a confrontation a fortnight ago. The body of Mbongiseni Shongwe was reportedly dumped by Thulani Khuzwayo Mawelela after allegedly assaulting him with a knobkerrie several times on the head and body after a confrontation. This happened at Kudzeni in the Manzini Region last Tuesday. The bone of contention was that the deceased supposedly hurled insults at Mawelela, suggesting that he was an illegitimate child, among other allegations.
Traumatised
Meanwhile, the family of a 68-year-old woman was left traumatised after discovering her lifeless body with wounds on the body, in a pool of blood, in her house last Monday evening at Bhadzeni II, in Mankayane. The family of the woman suspected that the attack on their loved one was allegedly carried out by some family members, who were acting in revenge after their father was killed about two months ago. According to a family member, Sisana Mbuyisa, the elderly was attacked by some men, who broke into her house, while she was sleeping. The family member said in their attempt to enter the house, they failed as the door was locked from inside. “They tried breaking down the door but failed, and then they went to the window, which they broke and gained entry. We believe that she tried to scream but because she was old, no one heard her,” the family member said.
In another incident, a suspected feud over a woman led to the death of a man, who was assaulted with fists and kicks. This, after Thandiswa Macocoma Tsabedze (36) of Khalangilile, purportedly intentionally killed Mbongiseni ‘Juice’ Zwane, by assaulting him with fists and kicks several times all over the body. This happened near Moneni Matsenjwa Complex, in the Manzini Region last Friday. Tsabedze appeared before Acting Manzini Magistrate Mncedisi Zwane. He was charged with murder and was remanded in custody until Wednesday, pending committal to the High Court. There was also a shooting in Manzini, which resulted in the death of a young man, who was shot in cold blood at Sihlahleni, Ngwane Park. Sizwe Kima Nxumalo was shot dead purportedly by Ayanda Nxumalo (27) of Zombodze last Wednesday night.
Shooting
This publication reported that on the day of the shooting, Ayanda was with a friend and were on their way to buy alcoholic beverages at a tavern at Sihlahleni. It was reported that they arrived in a car and the friend went out to buy the drinks, while Ayanda remained behind. It was also gathered that the friend returned to the car, while Ayanda went out to smoke. In another case, a man was held in connection with the murder of a man who was stabbed, his throat slit and left for dead in Malkerns last week. Mlungisi Khabako Mhlanga (27) of Mbetseni in Malkerns was arrested for the murder of Siboniso Jele, who was stabbed twice in the upper body on July 11, 2023. This publication reported that community members in the area were left traumatised by the lifeless body of the deceased and reported the matter to the police. A resident of the area revealed that the deceased’s body lay next to St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School, opposite Tibutsele Complex, next to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) depot. The accused appeared before Acting Manzini Magistrate Mongezi Mciza, on a charge of murder.
At Mhlaleni, Ndofaya, residents live in fear as they suspect ritual killings, after a man was found dead and without the tongue. The man was found dead along MR9 Public Road over a week ago. It was gathered that he was on his way to work at night, as he was said to be a security guard. His name will not be revealed because his family members could not be reached for comment at the time of compiling this report. According to information sourced from residents, the man was buried over the past weekend. His body was found with several stab wounds and his tongue was missing. The police confirmed the death of a 26-year-old man of Mhlaleni, who was hacked to death with a sharp object on the head by unknown people on June 25, 2023.
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