Eswatini Bulletin

30/09/2021

SOLDIERS ARE NOT KILLERS – ARMY COMMANDER

BY SABELO NDZINISA

MBABANE – Acting Army Commander Lieutenant General Mashikilisana Fakudze has refuted widespread accusations that soldiers are killers in Eswatini.

He was speaking today when officially unveiling a new house built by the army for a destitute Khumalo family in Nhlangano.

“Our terms of reference for each soldier in the army is clear that we should be always ready to face death as long as emaSwati are safe. Soldiers are not killers as branded by some people in the country,” Fakudze said.

The army boss said the country was currently experiencing unstable political climate because young people are being used to destroy schools and told that even if they do not finish education, they will still get hired in the army.

“Let me take this opportunity to discourage this behaviour. Those who commit crimes like burning schools will no longer be accepted in the army. We are living in times where there are innovations like building of planes but you will never be able to do that if you have never been to school. We now have guns that require proper training to use. Where will you learn that if you are destroying your school,” Fakudze wondered.

He was quick to point out that he was not speaking politics per se.

“We are happy that these days, you are able to sleep in peace because soldiers are present. You are now able to even reach Pigg’s Peak which was not possible in the past days as you were made to pay money (illegal tollgates). As soldiers, we are saying this will not happen ever again to emaSwati. We were assigned by the country’s authorities to ensure that the constitution is followed at all times. We feel very bad to see the country burning because we were not anticipating internal wars but from outside,” he said.

Fakudze also stated that the army was present in the country when soldiers were sent for the Second World War and ensured that Eswatini was protected. He also highlighted that local soldiers also took part in a war at Emushada led by Mbovana.

“Those are emaSwati who loved their country and respected that it is led by the King for emaSwati. Soldiers are trained that people can never sleep in peace when there is trouble in the country. Emaswati are our relatives and we are not animals (tilwane). Someone once remarked that the new army commander is not good looking. I may be ugly but a soldier will never be handsome or beautiful. Once you get used to me, you will accept the way I am,” Fakudze said, provoking laughter and clapping of hands from those present.

The army boss posing for a group picture with the Khumalo family members and senior army officials.
The new house for the destitute Khumalo family on display after it was officially opened by the Acting Army Commander.
Fakudze in high spirits as he joins the local sibhaca dance group.
Meanwhile, soldiers have donated over E50 000 to assist in the construction of a brand new two-room house with a separate kitchen for the destitute family in Mangweni, Nhlangano.

Fakudze presented the keys of the now completed house to the family and this project was started by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) to help the child-headed family, pioneered by two female soldiers who hold the lowest rank of privates. These are Jabulile Gama and Zanele Mkhaliphi who are now based at Mlindazwe barracks.

It was gathered that each month, the two would religiously buy food parcels for the destitute family and even when they were transferred to Siteki, they requested the new Battalion based in Mangweni to cater for the family as they had already bought seven (7) corrugated irons. Recounting the events, Major Mduduzi Mntambo said Regimental Sergeant Major Nhlanhla Dlamini and other soldiers utilised their construction skills to build the house.

Mntambo is the acting Commanding Officer (CO) at Nsingizini Barracks. As an icing on top of the cake, the army also donated food hampers to the needy family and other residents who graced the event.

The acting Army Commander said he felt joy in his heart to see the good work done in building the house particularly to help young children left without parents through the generosity of soldiers.

“Through the army, this family is able to sleep with food available. This is what we are assigned to do and is part of our work to make sure the country is safe and healthy at all times while we stay in mountains to oversee that everything is in order. We are happy for the Khumalo family because their issue was started by two soldiers which I did not even know until yesterday,” Fakudze said.
He recognised the efforts of the two female soldiers for using their salaries to buy food and clothes for the family even when they do not hold any ranks in the army.

“The army then saw it proper to join the initiative of helping the family. Giving the two female soldiers medals is out of my jurisdiction because they are not under my authority but to the King. I will definitely make the King aware of the good work by these heroes who despite being female, know what it means to be a soldier,” he said.

30/09/2021

SOLDIERS ARE NOT KILLERS - ARMY COMMANDER

BY SABELO NDZINISA MBABANE – Acting Army Commander Lieutenant General Mashikilisana Fakudze has refuted widespread accusations that soldiers are killers in Eswatini. He was speaking today when officially unveiling a new house built by the army for a destitute Khumalo family in Nhlangano. “Our te...

30/09/2021

BY THEMBA ZWANE MBABANE – The vehicle which Thabani Nkomonye was driving was roadworthy and that shows that the accident was caused by human error. This was the submission of a traffic police officer Inspector Selby Nxumalo who is an examiner of vehicles involved in fatal accidents. Nxumalo was le...

30/09/2021

BY THEMBA ZWANE MBABANE – The Swaziland National Teachers’ Association (SNAT) fears for the safety of teachers with growing protests by pupils at schools. According to a statement issued by SNAT Secretary General, Sikelela Dlamini today, the National Executive Committee (NEC) has noted that ther...

29/09/2021

BY SIPHO DLAMINI MBABANE – The alleged mastermind in Victor Gamedze’s murder, Sipho Shongwe, was allegedly in constant communication with his killers when they were at Somhlolo National Stadium. The State today told Judge Nkosinathi Maseko that even though Shongwe was not at the stadium and was ...

29/09/2021

300 HOSEA PUPILS MARCH TO HLUTI POLICE STATION, ‘FORCE’ THE RELEASE OF THEIR COLLEAGUE

BY SABELO NDZINISA

MBABANE – Over 300 pupils from three different schools around Hosea Inkhundla today ‘downed pens’ to march to Hluti Police Station where they delivered a petition demanding the release of their colleague Mbongeni ‘Gebhezi’ Sacolo.

Sacolo, a form 4 pupil at Hosea High School spent the night in jail after he was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion that he incited class boycott at the school. What raised eyebrows about his arrest though is that he has not been attending classes eversince schools re-opened but was still picked up from home by law enforcers for the said offence.

Before his arrest, Sacolo was out on E10 000 bail after he was arrested on accusations of taking part in the burning down of the Hosea Inkhundla. His arrest yesterday did not go down well with his colleagues as pupils from three schools namely Hosea High, Ngozi (both primary and high school) along with Ngololweni (both primary and high school) staged a united front today, showing courage to march the long distance from Hosea to Hluti Police Station.

On-lookers confided to this publication that the angry pupils defied order from police officers who tried unsuccessfully to block the march to the police facility where ‘Gebhezi’ was kept.

Upon arriving at the station, the pupils are said to have sang struggle songs as they allegedly told police officers point-blank that they were not leaving the station without their arrested colleague. Sensing trouble, police officers are said to have contacted the Nhlangano regional head office for advice and minutes later, Sacolo was released on E1000 fine, which was paid by Hosea Indvuna Yenkhundla Richard Vilane.

This was met with huge roars of approval by the pupils as they were seen lifting Sacolo sky high when he came out of police custody. They carried him all the way to Hosea, according to some of those present.

Vilane was contacted by this publication and he confirmed the pupil’s arrest and his subsequent release today after payment of the E1000 fine.

“We were all traumatised when the boy was arrested yesterday because we all know that he was not involved in the class boycott as he is not attending school at the moment. The boy was out on bail as he was among those arrested for burning of Hosea Inkhundla and E10 000 was paid for his bail. He actually told me that he does not want to be associated with riots as he was out on bail with conditions, one of which is to stay out of trouble. Actually, eversince that bail, he never returned to school as he felt discriminated by some teachers after the Inkhundla burning incident and he was staying at home until police came to arrest him for something he never committed,” Vilane said.

He asserted that pupils from three different schools ganged up today marching to Hluti Police station to put pressure for the release of their colleague.

“I forked out money from my pockets to pay the E1000 fine today but I wish to also mention that MP Gawuzela has since refunded me this money. I am very grateful to him for that,” he said.

Sacolo’s mother also paid tribute to Vilane and MP ‘Gawzela’ for the release of his son.

“May God bless Gawuzela and Vilane because without their help, my boy would still be in jail. My appreciation also goes out to the pupils from different schools who marched to police station to force his release. All my worries are gone now,” she told this publication.

No comment could be obtained from Hosea High School authorities nor the police on this issue at the time of compiling this report.

Meawhile, pupils are also said to have turned violent at Sandleni High School today in protest over the Gebhezi’s arrest.

Information gathered by this publication is that angry pupils sent teachers into panic when they started vandalising classroom windows in what was a moment of rage. They initially wanted to join the march to the Hluti Police station.

Classes were suspended at Sandleni High as teachers feared for their safety in view of the pupils’ behaviour. The costs of the damages could not be ascertained immediately.

No official comment could be sought from Hosea High School authorities but this incident was confirmed by at least two teachers from the school who however preferred anonymity.

29/09/2021

BY SABELO NDZINISA MBABANE – Over 300 pupils from three different schools around Hosea Inkhundla today ‘downed pens’ to march to Hluti Police Station where they delivered a petition demanding the release of their colleague Mbongeni ‘Gebhezi’ Sacolo. Sacolo, a form 4 pupil at Hosea High Sch...

29/09/2021

BY THEMBA ZWANE MBABANE – Nocktik and Bruknow collaborated on their new retro house single titled ‘Higher’ and they relate how love inspired the song. Electronic house music producer Nocktik and house music vocalist Bruknow teamed up for an amazing retro house single titled ‘Higher’. The s...

29/09/2021

ZWEMART ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS

BY SABELO NDZINISA

MBABANE – Swaziland News Managing Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini is in the process of establishing an independent association of journalists in Eswatini.

This, he exclusively, confirmed in an interview with EswatiniBulletin earlier today.

The hugely-followed investigative political journalist, made it clear that the new media association will replace what he labelled as defunct and media associations in the country. He said the primary function of the new association would be to assist independent journalists to come together and share skills to enhance access to alternative information.

“This idea came after we realised that the media institutions in Eswatini were long captured and because we have a privilege of being recognised by the world, we hope to introduce this association to various international organisations,” Dlamini said.

The fiery scribe, owner of the now defunct Swaziland Shopping Newspaper, stated categorically that he has well-documented evidence suggesting that the traditional media was long captured, adding that, “we cant expect captured institutions to defend us when we face persecution but we must establish credible structures in the journey to a free and democratic society,” he stressed.

Describing himself as a person who believes in action, Dlamini said after creating awareness about media capture, it is now easy to introduce this association because even the public is now aware of media capture. He also stated that the new association is looking to promote and support other online publications to create a vibrant media in the country.

“It is important to note that the only way to render the captured media irrelevant is to create independent media structures that will act in the public interest. We want online publications to affiliate in this association and benefit from international support so that we can have a vibrant media. It should not be about one online publication,” he emphasised.

Dlamini, who has also previously worked for the Eswatini Observer in the entertainment section, observed that media pluralism creates an environment where the public enjoys access to alternative information through various writing and journalism skills.

“We are coming from a captured media environment where intelligent journalists were attacked and frustrated by a media clique that wanted to own the media. Now we must create an environment where journalists are supported to shine and freely provide information to the public,” he said.

Journalists in the country currently voluntarily affiliate to the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (SNAJ), and there is also a separate body for editors called the Editors’ Forum.

29/09/2021

BY SABELO NDZINISA MBABANE – Swaziland News Managing Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini is in the process of establishing an independent association of journalists in Eswatini. This, he exclusively, confirmed in an interview with EswatiniBulletin earlier today. The hugely-followed investigative political...

29/09/2021

BY SABELO NDZINISA MBABANE – Lubombo has amassed the highest number of class boycotts or riots in schools compared to the other regions in less than a week. In total, Lubombo situated in the eastern part of this country already had eight class boycotts already reported to education authorities and...

29/09/2021

10 MORE PARLY SITTINGS BEFORE GAWUZELA LOSES HIS SEAT, UNLESS….

BY SABELO NDZINISA

MBABANE – Exiled Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane is now left with 10 parliament sittings to save his position in the August House.

This is because he has already missed 10 parliament sittings after his decision to flee from local law enforcers who were armed with a warrant of arrest against him. Actually, he has not been able to attend parliament business eversince the arrest of his fellow ‘MPs for change’ colleagues in Hosea’s Mduduzi ‘Bacede’ Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi on July 25, 2021.

The two MPs, still battling to be granted bail by the High Court on charges of contravening the Suppression Terrorism Act of 2008, have already spent over two months behind bars (66 days). Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba confirmed to the Eswatini Bulletin that the three legislators have missed ten parliament sittings.

“They have missed 10 sittings and to lose the seat, the parliamentarian must miss 20 consecutive sittings without valid sittings. The MP must submit reasons for being absent to the priviledges committee in parliament,” Xaba told this publication.

This means that if the popular Siphofaneni MP does not show up in the next ten parliament sittings, his seat will be up in the air as Speaker Petros Mavimbela will be compelled by parliament protocol to inform the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) of a vacancy in the House.

That will happen if Simelane has not submitted valid reasons for his absence to the privileges committee as stated by Xaba. Former Senate President Gelane Zwane recently advised Simelane to approach any embassy of his choice and seek political asylum. She said once he is sheltered by that embassy he can then take legal action against government, and that could possibly save his seat.

Noteworthy is that the parliament positions of the two arrested MPs are secured as their incarceration means that it is the state that is making it impossible for them to attend sittings. It must also be noted that there is nothing another MP, known to this publication, who has also been missing in parliament for close to a month due to medical reasons. He has been in hospital getting medical attention after testing positive for COVID-19.

No immediate comment could be obtained from ‘Gawuzela’ at the time of compiling this report. For the record, parliament sittings can be held four times a week, which is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday is never used because of Cabinet meetings on this day.