MBABANE – A 37-year-old man of Msunduza was arrested and charged for unlawfully withdrawing an elderly man’s E24 700 in his FNB account.
Makhosonkhe Magalela Dlamini appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court before senior magistrate Sifiso Vilakati on Monday charged with the offence of theft which occurred last month.
According to the charge sheet, on May 9, and again on May 17, 2025, at or near Mbabane, in the Hhohho Region, the said accused person did unlawfully and intentionally steal money amounting to E24 700.00, money which was unlawfully withdrawn from FNB e-wallet (ATM) and the property or in the lawful possession of Makhangeza Maseko and did thereby commit the crime of Theft.
Maseko gave testimony and said he Dlamini withdrew his proceeds which came from the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF).
Maseko said he was employed at Mbabane Engineering where he constructs swimming pools.
He said initially he went to the bank to withdraw E1000 and asked Dlamini’s assistance. Maseko said the ATM card was his but he registered Dlamini for the formalities.
“He then took the slip that had the pin number and I remained with the card. He then proceeded to withdraw for himself. After two weeks, I heard from the police. They said I withdrew money. I then went to the bank and they confirmed that there have been withdrawals. I was informed that E25 000 was withdrawn,” Maseko said, adding that he did not give him the permission to do the withdrawals.
Maseko said he has no relations with Dlamini other than that they reside together in the same homestead.
He also said that he knew Dlamini for a number of years. Maseko said he never attended school and had issues with effective withdrawals. He also said he did not immediately approach Dlamini after the withdrawals.
Maseko said ENPF deposited E50 000 into his bank account. He also said that he earns E450 per week for the pool job.
Dlamini pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Vilakati handing down the verdict said Dlamini was sentenced to pay E5000 with the option to serve four years imprisonment. Half the sentence was wholly suspended on the condition that Dlamini compensate Maseko E24 700.
Discussion about this post