Sihlutse – Police have arrested Michael Hlatshwako of Tibondzeni following the kidnapping and murder of eight-year-old Tifezile Gwebu from Siguduma, Jericho. Hlatshwako was taken into custody early this morning at around 6:30 after community members saw him near his homestead and alerted authorities.
The suspect had been on the run since the incident on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when Tifezile was abducted while walking home from a local shop with friends. Her body was later found at Hlatshwako’s homestead, prompting a nationwide manhunt.
Police said the arrest was made possible by the vigilance of local residents. Officers from the Jericho Police Post, working closely with the community, apprehended Hlatshwako without incident.
He is now in police custody, and official procedures are ongoing.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service praised the Tibondzeni community for their alertness and cooperation. “Crime fighting is reliant on the cooperation and collaboration of the Police service and members of the public. REPS on its own cannot fight crime partnership policing is important,” the statement read.
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