BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE- In many communities, a church is more than brick and mortar, it is a sacred refuge, a place where faith is renewed and hope is restored.
That is why the recent theft at a house of worship in Msinda has struck a deep chord, reminding many that stealing from God’s house wounds not only property, but the spirit of the community itself.
Police in Mliba have arrested three men, aged 24, 26 and 33, in connection with the theft of a borehole pump valued at E32 000 from Christian Development Fellowship Church in the Msinda area. The suspects, who hail from Msinda and Ndunayithini, were apprehended on February 1, 2026, following a focused and determined investigation.
The theft was discovered after it emerged that on January 25, 2026, at around 08:00, the church’s borehole pump, a vital lifeline providing water to congregants and the surrounding community, had been stolen. For many worshippers, the incident felt like more than a material loss; it was an attack on a sacred space dedicated to service, prayer and community upliftment.
Police tracked down the suspects in Mahlabatsini (Matsapha), demonstrating the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and inter-area cooperation. Investigators believe the arrests may mark a breakthrough in a wider network of borehole thefts, as the suspects are also being linked to three other cases involving stolen boreholes at Bhalekane Clinic, Madlangempisi High School and Bhalekane Primary School.
The investigation is still ongoing, with police working to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement and to recover stolen property that supports essential community services.
Meanwhile, in Big Bend, police are also probing another theft case reported by a 45-year-old man from Mndobandoba. The complainant reported that he discovered a Corsa engine valued at E30 000 had been stolen from his property, with the incident believed to have occurred in February 2025.
As police continue to dismantle suspected crime syndicates targeting community infrastructure, these arrests send a clear message: no place is beyond the reach of justice, not even when criminals attempt to profit from what is meant to serve God and the people.
Authorities are urging community members to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity, reaffirming that collective action remains one of the strongest tools in protecting shared values, faith institutions and public resources.
(Courtesy Pic)
