By Mhlengi Magongo | 2018-06-19

A kombi belonging to Logistics 5 was ambushed and hijacked last Friday night by four armed men.

The kombi that had 15 passengers was being driven by Jabulane Dlamini travelling from Manzini to Mbabane at around 8pm when it stopped at Ka-Ndlunganye, Matsapha for another passenger recognised as *Sabelo Mkhonta whom it is said was known to the driver.

Mkhonta had allegedly contacted Dlamini on departure from Manzini bus rank to pick him up at Ndlunganye since it was dark and public transport was scarce.

According to Dlamini, he did not suspect any foul play since he knew the person calling him and also understood the struggle of not having transport after sunset.

After Mkhonta had bordered the kombi, four armed robbers approached the kombi from behind with one opening the driver’s door.

He violently pulled out the kombi keys from the ignition.

The other two armed men opened the passengers’ sliding door while another stood guard on the ground.

The robbers grabbed all cellphones, valuables and money from the shaken passengers before being swallowed by the blanket of the night with their loot.

The traumatised kombi driver and the rattled passengers drove to Matsapha Police Station to report the incident and have statements taken down.

On arrival at the police station, it was discovered that Mkhonta who initially was being picked up at Ndlunganye before the robbers pounced, did not want to open a case against the robbers despite that he too was robbed.

Passengers

This prompted the passengers to suspect that he too may have been involved in the daring robbery. Their theory is that he called the kombi driver to pick him up as means to halt the kombi and allow his cronies to rob the passengers.

However, Mkhonta defended himself stating that he did not know the robbers and had nothing to do with the robbery.  He strangely later agreed to lay a charge against the robbers.

An iPhone belonging to one of the victims was located by police and was found dumped at a dustbin near Mhlaleni Matsapha.

One of the victims believes that the driver Dlamini was also involved in the robbery since his cell phone was not taken.

However, Dlamini argued that the reason why his phone was not taken was because it was cheap and not worthy to be stolen.

Dlamini also stated that he and Mkhonta had history as they had had a run in.  Mkhonta is said to have been involved in a robbery two months ago and Dlamini was the victim. Instead of reporting the matter to the police, Dlamini decided to deal with Sabelo himself by heavily assaulting him.  On that issue, Mkhonta never opened the case against Dlamini for assaulting him.

The items reported to have been taken from Dlamini include a flash drive as well as E200. Dlamini said he was lucky because he had cashed in the money he made during the day and used the rest on fuel.

However, it was discovered that during the robbery none of the passengers were reported to have been injured but one passenger was threatened with a knife by one of robbers after she attempted to hide her handbag which she then quickly surrendered before enduring any harm.

Police mouthpiece Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed the incident and said police were investigating the matter.

*not his real name*

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