Swazi Observer

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EX-SWAZIBANKMD KUHLASE HACKED

By Starsky Mkhonta | 2019-01-21

FORMER Eswatini Bank (formerly Swazi Bank) Managing Director Sam Kuhlase is in a critical condition after he was hacked all over the body with objects suspected to be bush-knives at his residence, Esiphumelele outside Nhlangano.

Because of the seriousness of his injury, he was immediately transferred from Nhlangano Health Centre to Hlatikulu Government Hospital where he was again moved to Mbabane Government Hospital where he is currently battling for his life.

Kuhlase is a businessman who owns properties and also operates Ekupholeni Bar and Restaurant in Nhlangano and resides at Esiphumelele, a fast growing suburb past the notorious and crime infested Mathendele Township.

It is still unclear what could be the motive of the incident but others said these could be the work of criminals who targeted Kuhlase by attacking him while at the gate to his residence the previous Wednesday night. He was allegedly kidnapped and discovered the next morning dumped in a forest with deep wounds all over the body and he could not even talk. It is reported that Kuhlase could have been mugged by the criminals while entering his residence at night on his way from transporting home one of his helpers. Unconfirmed reports are that the criminals pounced on Kuhlase as he was still preparing to open the gate leading to his home.

It is said when taking one of the helpers home, Kuhlase left behind the TV set on with the hope of coming back to watch some programmes before going to bed. It is said his gardener was also at the residence but in another room. Other claims are that the criminals probably took advantage when Kuhlase drove out of his residence to take home the helper as they broke into the house and ransacked it. Everything was found turned upside down. A TV set he had left on, drew the attention of the gardener when it was suddenly switched off. The gardener went to check what could have happened, and found it missing at the lounge.

It is believed the TV was among the items the criminals took with them when they ransacked the house.

“It’s highly likely that when Kuhlase drove out of his residence, the criminals sneaked inside and ransacked it. They took whatever they were looking for and then camped somewhere close to the residence, waiting for him to come back. It is believed Kuhlase was probably preparing to open the gate when the criminals pounced on him,” said a source.

It is believed that after mugging Kuhlase they kidnapped him to an unknown place and later dumped him in a forest where he was later found with serious injuries and soaked in blood.

“The gardener who was waiting for his boss to return from taking the other helper home was first amazed how the TV set suddenly went off. When he checked if it was his boss who switched it off, he did not see it at the sitting room and when he looked around the house, to his shock he found almost everything turned upside down.

Curious

“It was then that he went out of the house for further inspection and a little while later; he noticed his boss’ vehicle by the gate. He went to the gate and to his surprise; he did not find Kuhlase in the car. It was then that he became curious and wondered what exactly was happening,” said a source.

After searching for his boss all around the premises, the gardener then raised an alarm and a search began. The search started in the evening and went on until Thursday where he was found in a forest with injuries all over the body.

“He was taken to Nhlangano Health Centre and because of the critical state he was in, he had to be transferred to Hlatikulu Government Hospital and then later to Mbabane Government Hospital. By the time he was transferred, he was still unable to utter a word,” said a source.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the attack of the businessman, adding that he is presently admitted at Mbabane Government Hospital in a critical state.

“We are told that his house was ransacked and we are not yet sure what was taken. No arrest has been made as of yet but police are doing all they can to find the culprits,” said Supt. Vilakati.

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