THE High Court has heard that the alleged terrorist activities led by self-proclaimed commander Thabo Kunene and six co-accused, who have been since charged with high treason, caused property damages valued at over E160 million across the four regions of Eswatini.
Kunene, together with Sibusiso Nkomonye, Muzi Mnisi, Sibusiso Nxumalo, Percy Machoco Sithole, Xolani Simelane and Wandile Gina, face multiple charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to property and terrorism.
Last week, acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lomvula Hlophe successfully applied to have Kunene and Nkomonye joined with five other co-accused since they faced similar charges arising from unrest-related incidents committed between June, 2021 and June, 2023.
The application was before Judge Nkosinathi Maseko.
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In the application, there are new charges of high treason.
In her statement, Hlophe told the court that the charges stem from civil unrest that engulfed Eswatini during the period, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and what she described as “unspeakable atrocities.”
The acting DPP submitted that investigations had linked Kunene and his co-accused to a network of underground forces allegedly responsible for coordinated attacks on law enforcement officers, civilians, traditional leaders, members of parliament, judicial officers, and government properties.
She submitted that the accused acted with a common purpose and in some cases directly admitted involvement in terrorist activities.
The court was furnished with a detailed list of incidents, properties destroyed, and their corresponding monetary value.
The damages, stretching from schools and courts to trucks and government vehicles, highlight the financial extent of destruction attributed to the accused.
On October 18, 2021, at or near Magevini in Matsapha, a hose and trailer truck valued at E1.62 million belonging to Raymond Tsabedze was set on fire. Government property was also targeted.
The ministry of public works and transport lost a grader (GSD 051 WO) valued at E475 000, an Isuzu tipper truck (GSD 523 WO) valued at E392 000, and a Bell dump truck (GSD 369 WO) valued at E829 000. The total loss in that incident amounted to E1.696 million.
In the same period, Thenjiwe Dlamini lost property worth E7 300, while Nkiliji High School incurred damages worth E300 000 after its administration block was burnt and two 5000-litre water tanks shot at.
On February 21, 2022, a classroom block at Mncozini High School was set on fire, costing the ministry of education and training E200 000.
On April 3, 2022, Mpaka Police Post lost a government vehicle valued at E450 000, the property of Assistant Inspector Z. Mavuso.
On June 16, 2022, at Sigombeni in the Manzini region, Inyatsi Construction (Pty) Ltd lost heavy machinery including an excavator, TLB, two dump trucks, and a caterpillar, with damages totalling E8 million.
On November 6, 2022, at Mzimpofu, Brian Simon Nhlabatsi lost a Nissan truck UD 450 valued at E1.6 million.
On November 7, 2022, multiple incidents occurred at Mhlaleni in the Manzini region. The accused allegedly burnt a Hyundai mini-truck H100 (CSD 059 BH) worth E176 000, the property of Sandile Ginindza. Set on fire a Man 12-tonne truck (BSD 771 CH) worth E414 943, injuring Sifiso Thwala in his property. Damaged an FNB Automated Teller Machine (ATM) valued at E800 000, the property of Mbongiseni Sibiya. Destroyed a Volvo truck (JMH 574 MP) and a trailer (HFW 416 MP) worth E1.51 million, the property of Msebenzi Mabaso.
On November 9, 2022, at Ngwenya Border Post in Hhohho, a Man truck (HF 09 WB GP) valued at E1.62 million, belonging to Imperial Logistics/James Dube, was set on fire.
On November 14, 2022, at Pigg’s Peak Central Transport Administration (CTA), 19 government vehicles were set ablaze, valued at a combined E139 million, the property of Sibusiso Maxwell Manyatsi.
On the same day, the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate’s Court building was torched, valued at E1.51 million, the property in possession of Siphosini Dlamini.
On November 17, 2022, at Nkiliji, the house of Nomsa Motsa valued at E500 000 was destroyed by fire.
On November 21, 2022, at Jerusalem in the Shiselweni region, the accused allegedly killed six cattle valued at E82 000 belonging to Shaka Zambuk Maphalala. On the same day and place, five rondavels worth E3.5 million were set on fire, also the property of Maphalala. Additionally, water containers valued at E25 000 were damaged by gunfire.
The cumulative value of damages according to the court documents stands at approximately E164 million. There is also property which is listed as having been damaged by the accused but has not been given monetary value in the charges, meaning the value might be much higher than disclosed in the court papers.
The acting DPP submitted that these damages were not random but coordinated, deliberate acts aimed at destabilising government structures, law enforcement, and private individuals.
She said the accused, acting individually or jointly and in furtherance of a common purpose, targeted state infrastructure, educational facilities, construction companies, financial institutions, and ordinary citizens’ property.
