5 S. AFRICAN GUNMEN ATTACK SWAZI, DEMAND ‘GHOSTS MONEY’
MAKHOSINI – Five men, who were wielding two guns, reportedly attacked a man of Makhosini on Sunday evening, demanding to be given ‘ghosts money’.
The unknown men, who are believed to be South Africans, invaded the man’s homestead at about 7pm.
Jabulani Simelane (38) was alone at the gate when he was approached by the suspects, who made him let them into the homestead.
Once inside, they forced entry into his room and ordered the man to surrender two pots thought to contain Kruger coins, which were suspected to be hidden at the homestead.
Apparently, the men got wind that there could be treasure hidden at the homestead, while in South Africa, and it is believed that a relative who frequented the homestead might have been the source of the information.
One man kept an eye on the victim, while the others rummaged through everything in the house, and turned every container upside down.
While the strangers were ransacking the house, all Simelane could think about was getting shot.
Speaking in an interview with this publication in the aftermath of the horrifying ordeal, Simelane said he considered himself lucky that he was still alive.
He was somewhat apprehensive when giving details of his experience in the hands of the gunmen, as he was still worried the attackers could return anytime.
“They did not get what they wanted, and I still consider myself lucky that they spared my life,” he said.
The 38-year-old man had just returned from the pastures to look for cattle when the men followed him to his house.
He said he was shocked when the men charged towards him pointing guns, demanding ‘ghosts money’.
“I had no idea what they were talking about, and to make matters worse, I had never seen the ‘ghosts money’ they said they were after. I had no choice but to watch them as they turned everything upside down, in fear of being killed.”
He said he only heaved a sigh of relief when the men left the house after realising that their search was not bearing the desired results.
The gunmen did not take anything from the victim’s home but they simply vanished into the thickness of the night.
The unknown men, who are believed to be South Africans, invaded the man’s homestead at about 7pm.
Jabulani Simelane (38) was alone at the gate when he was approached by the suspects, who made him let them into the homestead.
Once inside, they forced entry into his room and ordered the man to surrender two pots thought to contain Kruger coins, which were suspected to be hidden at the homestead.
Apparently, the men got wind that there could be treasure hidden at the homestead, while in South Africa, and it is believed that a relative who frequented the homestead might have been the source of the information.
One man kept an eye on the victim, while the others rummaged through everything in the house, and turned every container upside down.
While the strangers were ransacking the house, all Simelane could think about was getting shot.
Speaking in an interview with this publication in the aftermath of the horrifying ordeal, Simelane said he considered himself lucky that he was still alive.
He was somewhat apprehensive when giving details of his experience in the hands of the gunmen, as he was still worried the attackers could return anytime.
“They did not get what they wanted, and I still consider myself lucky that they spared my life,” he said.
The 38-year-old man had just returned from the pastures to look for cattle when the men followed him to his house.
He said he was shocked when the men charged towards him pointing guns, demanding ‘ghosts money’.
“I had no idea what they were talking about, and to make matters worse, I had never seen the ‘ghosts money’ they said they were after. I had no choice but to watch them as they turned everything upside down, in fear of being killed.”
He said he only heaved a sigh of relief when the men left the house after realising that their search was not bearing the desired results.
The gunmen did not take anything from the victim’s home but they simply vanished into the thickness of the night.