Mbabane – The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has intercepted 22 goats valued at E33 000 which were allegedly being smuggled towards the Kingdom’s border line at Sivule in the Lubombo Region.
The livestock was intercepted on September 15, 2026, at about 3pm after UEDF troops, who were conducting a planned ambush, spotted a white vehicle ferrying goats towards the border.
According to the UEDF, the troops followed the vehicle to a homestead near the boundary line, where it was stopped and searched. A total of 22 goats were recovered, while two suspects, a man and a woman, were apprehended.
The suspects have been identified as Bheki Mntjali, a 50-year-old Liswati man from Qomintaba in the Shiselweni Region, and Sizakele Mkhatshwa, a 58-year-old Liswati woman from the same area.
The vehicle allegedly used to transport the goats is a white Ford Ranger with registration number CL 28 GT ZN.
The UEDF said the estimated value of the recovered livestock was E33,000.
The suspects, livestock and vehicle were subsequently handed over to the relevant law enforcement agency for further investigations.
The defence force has urged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities along the Kingdom’s boundary lines through its toll-free number, 990.
The Office of the Commander-UEDF also expressed appreciation to community members assisting the defence force in curbing criminal activities along the borders.
The Commander further cautioned against criminal activities along all border lines and commended UEDF troops for their continued efforts to protect and defend the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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