Swazi Observer

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TERRORISM SUSPECT’S EXPLOSIVES LINK

By SIFISO NHLABATSI | 2024-11-15

IN the case arising from the 2021 civil unrest, police have disclosed how Menzi Phungula aged (28), from Malkerns, led them to where improvised explosive device materials were hidden.
Phungula is facing charges of arson and attempted murder.

He is accused of burning a soldier's house at the peak of the unrest.
During his trial, Constable Sandile Maseko from Bhunya police station testified before High Court Judge Justice Mavuso, recounting how Phungula allegedly guided officers to his home at Malaynini, where he reportedly showed them items commonly used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Among the items were a five-litre container of petrol, clothes, potassium permanganate, methylated spirit, sand, bottles, and other materials.

The items could be assembled into an explosive device.
These items were presented as evidence, with Judge Mavuso advising caution due on their potential danger.

Constable Maseko informed the court that while to duty at Bhunya police station he was tasked with fetching the accused. He said he cautioned him of the Miranda warning which speaks of the right to remain silent.

However, Phungula told the officer that he wanted to show him something. “He said it was home at Luyengo,” the officer told the court.

Maseko said he and other officers then travelled with Phungula to Malkerns police station where they were joined by other police officers who accompanied them to Luyengo since it was their territory.

The officer informed the court that the accused took them to his homestead at Malaynini where they found his uncle Mcolisi Dlamini and Mathokoza Lukhele.

According to the officer the accused took them to a half built house. He submitted that again he cautioned the accused that he was not forced to say anything. He said in the house, the accused showed them the materials mentioned above.

The officer said the accused told them of a Toyota Vitz, which was, however, not in the yard. The officer said they then went back to Malkerns with the suspect and the exhibits.

He said they called the person who had reportedly driven the vehicle and informed him to report to Malkerns police station. Constable Maseko in his evidence submitted that indeed the driver eventually showed up, driving the vehicle. Maseko said in that vehicle they found a two kilograms putty.

Tough
The courtroom turned into a science class as Judge Mavuso shared his knowledge of the chemicals, which were brought before court.

The judge was able to label some of the items such as the potassium permanganate whenever the court clerk had a tough time interpreting some of the items. The proceedings halted for a moment as the judge ordered that a court official fetch protective gear, including gloves and a mask.
This was used by the officer when presenting the exhibits.
The judge warned the officer to be careful when dealing with the substances as they were highly hazardous.

In earlier court proceedings, it was reported that a well-known Zionist bishop in Mankayane allegedly provided Phungula and an accomplice, Muzi Mabuza with a ‘good luck’ charm to protect them from arrest.

The bishop claimed that the men sought his help to evade being apprehended after burning the soldier’s house, which belonged to Patrick Maseko.

According to the bishop's statement, he gave them a black charm in exchange for E1 400.
The bishop later recorded a statement with the police after Phungula brought them to his homestead.

Another witness, a driver, testified that he was allegedly hired by Phungula and Mabuza to transport them to Bhunya on the day of the incident.

He claimed that they stopped at a petrol station to purchase fuel and other items, including putty and gloves.

The putty was allegedly used to cover their shoe prints, while Phungula collected additional materials, including methylated spirit, a potassium permanganate, and river sand.

According to the driver, Mabuza and Phungula engaged in ritual-like actions and claimed that the two men later returned while appearing exhausted and reported that the soldier's house had been set ablaze.

Phungula faces charges of arson for allegedly setting fire on Patrick’s home on December 8, 2021, causing E79 000 in damages.

He is also charged with three counts of attempted murder, as there were people inside the house at the time. Mabuza, his alleged accomplice, remains at large.

Phungula’s defence attorney Professor Dlamini continued to represent him, while Crown Counsel Ayanda Matsenjwa leads the prosecution. The Crown will parade 13 witnesses.

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