- CTA caught fire in the early hours of Monday morning
- No arrests have been reportedly made by the Police so far in connection with the incident
Mbabane: The Central Transport Administration (CTA) caught fire in the wee hours of today and serious damage was done.
It is suspected that the government garage, based in the capital city, was petrol bombed.
Information reaching Independent News is to the effect that the fire started in the early hours of this morning around 1:55 am at the workshop.
Sources link the suspected arson attack to concealing of evidence by a senior officer who is currently on suspension for mismanagement of the public office he held.
There are also suspicions that the fire might have been caused by people who are demanding political reforms in the kingdom.
No arrests have yet been reportedly made by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) in connection to the suspected crime as investigations are reportedly ongoing.
Meanwhile, on July 3, 2021, the then Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, and the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, went to various parts of the country where they assessed the damage of the June unrest that led to the burning and destruction of government and private property.
Masuku reported that the country had suffered an estimated loss of about E3 billion and 5 000 job losses.
However, a report presented by the Ministry of Finance Portfolio Committee chaired by Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo in parliament reflected that the damage was estimated to be around E800 million.
This, according to the report, is inclusive of loss of employment, stock looting, vandalism of structures, and burning down.
The report further states that the second-highest incurred costs were damages related to fields, forests, and farms, which was estimated to have set the country back at a sum of E26.7 million. The report has further reflected that the third-highest cost was to the loss of goods and commodities, at E12 595 836. It was further reported that the least cost was incurred on the temporary closure of businesses to the tune of E1.8 million. The report, which has been tabled and passed in the House of Assembly, reflects that the loss of income and job losses reflected an amount of about E6 656 469 while damages to vehicles were estimated to be around E2 300 700.
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