A 23-year-old man, Sbongiseni Chauke, appeared at the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 November 2025, facing serious charges including house robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition.
The arrest stems from an incident in the early hours of Saturday, 15 November 2025. According to police information, officers were dispatched to a house robbery that had occurred at approximately 02:00 in Allemansdrift D.
While en route to the scene, law enforcement observed four males jumping over fences in the area. Their movements were simultaneously noticed by the complainant, who was driving nearby. The victim immediately alerted the police, confirming that the individuals matched the clothing description of the suspects who had just robbed his home.
Police promptly stopped their vehicle and initiated a foot pursuit. During the chase, one of the suspects was seen discarding a maroon school bag. Officers successfully apprehended him shortly after.
The suspect, later identified as Chauke, was then escorted back to the location where he had thrown the bag. A search of the bag revealed a cache of items, including:
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One 7.65 calibre firearm with a serial number that appeared to be partially filed off.
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One magazine with one live round of ammunition.
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One Retay Mod 9mm pistol replica with one magazine.
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Various housebreaking equipment.
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One blue balaclava.
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Two cellphones.
Chauke was unable to produce a valid license for the firearms, leading to the additional charges.
Following his arrest at approximately 04:30 on 15 November, Chauke was remanded in custody after his court appearance. The case has been postponed to 21 November 2025 for a formal bail application.