Mozambique: 17 Malawians arrested over illegal stay, suspected illegal logging and gold mining
Swaziland: 2 Mozambican thieves raid homes, steal E850 000 items
4:26 CAT | 04 Aug 2016
The Swazi Observer / The Mbabane Magistrate’s Court where the Mozambican duo appeared before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati.
The two Mozambican nationals charged with terrorising Mbabane residents allegedly stole items worth over E850 000 and they have been slapped with 43 counts.
The two Mozambican nationals charged with terrorising Mbabane residents allegedly stole items worth over E850 000 and they have been slapped with 43 counts.
Their main targets were town houses occupied by high profile individuals where they made away with valuable items mainly LCD television screens.
Emidio Muchanga (48) and Fanuel Quiver (42) both from Maputo Mozambique were nabbed by Mbabane police in a major breakthrough after a tip off from Thembelihle residents on their suspicious movements around the township in April 2016.
They were charged with contravening section 15 (3) of the Vagrancy Act in that they unlawfully did not have a fixed place of abode and failed to give satisfactory explanation for their loitering around the township.
They have also been charged with remaining in the country without valid permits, which is against the Immigration Act of 1982.
A number of their offences are housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, crimes they allegedly committed between March 2014 and April 2016.
They are accused of having stolen from Swazi Observer’s Managing Editor Mbongeni Mbingo on November 10, 20165 at Thembelihle Township.
They allegedly stole a black wrist watch valued at E30 000, a E10 000 Sony 42 inch LCD television screen, Mac book laptop and Deli laptop, valued at E15 000 and E6 000 respectively. The total value of the stolen items is E61 000.
On New Year’s day, the two allegedly made away with E235 570 items when they broke into Nathi Fakudze’s house at Sandla and stole a collection of expensive wrist watches.
They are accused of stealing a Pranking branded wrist watch valued at E150 000 and another one with the brand Blue Jason and Company which cost E75 000. They also stole two others, each worth E2 500 and E1 000. They further stole pairs of All Star casual wear shoes and meat portions valued at E150.
Another victim was allegedly Siphiwo Mabila, the Registrar of the High Court who lost E13 400 property on December 14, 2015 at Thembelihle. The stolen items included a Samsung 42 inch LCD television screen worth E8 500, lazy boy, blender and a Russell Hobbs electric kettle.
They further stole E20 050 worth of items from Nomakhosetive Shabalala at Pine Valley on April 19, 2015, it has been alleged. These comprised a 42 inch Samsung plasma television screen valued at E12 000, DVD player, two tablets, cellphone and clothing items, all worth E8 050.
The accused are currently on trial and are expected to appear before Mbabane Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati tomorrow.
They have acquired the services of lawyer David Snyman after they were dumped by Sifiso Jele who withdrew his services citing conflict of interest. Jele had said he would no longer be able to represent the suspects because one of the counts they were facing was against Siphiwo Mabila, the Registrar of the High Court who is wife to Advocate Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila. Mabila used to run the law firm where Jele works.
…They killed dogs to enter
In order to gain entry at David Masina’s residence at Pine Valley, the suspects allegedly killed his dogs by feeding them a poisonous substance.
This incident is alleged to have happened on March 23, 2016 and 23 days later, they pounced to steal E23 700 worth of items.
The dogs they allegedly poisoned were worth E4 500. It has been alleged that poisoning dogs was one of their modus operandi.
For the dogs’ murder they are charged with malicious injury to property in that they intentionally killed them with the intention to injure Masina.
On their return they allegedly stole a 42 inch Samsung LCD television screen worth E6 000, Hp laptop valued at E8 000, and two cell phones valued at E4 200.
They further stole a brush cutter valued at E300 and various brands of wines that cost E2 500.
They struck three times in two years
Thabani Zwane’s residence at Dalriach was struck three times in two years and the two Mozambican suspects made away with items worth E94 000.
On each occasion, they stole top of the range television screens among other items. On March 29, 2014, Emidio Muchanga and Fanuel Quiver allegedly stole a E9 000, 42 inch LCD screen and speed cameras worth E39 000.
They are also accused of having stolen a Samsung laptop valued at E9 00, a Sony hifi that cost E7 000 as well as E2 000 in cash.
About two years later, they allegedly pounced again and stole four solar kits worth E3 200, shoes, grocery items and a blanket worth E1 100. This happened on February 10, 2016.
Hardly a month later, they returned and removed, without his authority, a black 55 inch JVC television screen valued at E14 000 and a Sony hifi worth E9 000.
…hit two places per night
The accused thieves struck in more than two places per night in some incidences which were within the same neighbourhood.
For count seven they are accused of breaking into Clesia Fernando’s residence at Thembelihle and stole items worth E9 500.
On the same night they allegedly entered into Babhekile Matsebula’s house and stole E20 000 worth of items, also situated at Thembelihle. This allegedly happened on January 24, 2016. They stole a 60 inch Sansui LCD television screen from Fernando and a E20 000 worth 48 inch Sony LED television screen from Matsebula’s possession.
Source: The Swazi Observer
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