MBABANE – “Let the police take care of everything,” says the family of the man claiming to be part of a group which was training in Mozambique in order to overthrow government.
A relative of the man claiming to have been training with 300 men, said they were not keen to speak on the issue as the police were handling it. The next-of-kin said engaging on the issue could expose them to unwarranted attention and danger. In the brief engagement, the family member said law enforcement personnel were engaging on the issue and it would be best left with them. Meanwhile, the country has for almost 20 months been in a political unrest which has resulted in arson attacks on private and public property, killing of citizens and also security personnel.
Government has been calling for calm and the silencing of firearms in order to have a conducive environment for a national dialogue. This call has been ongoing since 2021. Also, political formations through their umbrella body – Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) – have been calling for calm and suspension of violence as they stated that its consequences would be irreparable.
On the other hand, in preparation for the upcoming 2023 National Elections, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has been engaging in civic and voter education exercises within communities. Among many issues, traditional leaders are being requested to reconcile with the youth and bury the hatchet.
Jurisdiction
Manzini Regional Administrator (RA) Chief Gija, said chiefs within in his jurisdiction were already advised on burying the hatchet. He said the call follows that since the political unrest ensued in the kingdom; chiefs were being intimidated and were living in fear after one of them was brutally killed. It is worth noting that a number of people have been killed since the beginning of the political uprising. The people killed include political activists, State security personnel and KaZandondo Chief, Prince Mahloma Dlamini.
