Times Of Swaziland: WHAT GAY MARCH? – POLICE

WHAT GAY MARCH? – POLICE
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BY NTOMBI MHLONGO on 28/06/2018 04:15:00


MBABANE – Two days before the much anticipated Eswatini Pride takes pace, the
Royal Eswatini Police Service has disassociated itself from the event.
The police, through a letter issued yesterday, made it clear that they never
authorised the event.
The letter was meant to set the record straight that the police only approved a
request by the organisers, Rock of Hope, to provide security during a march
which is the first item on the agenda of the big day.
During the launch of the event last week, the organisers shared the letter of
approval from the police. However, the event has been met with mixed feelings.
Celebrate
The aim of the event is to celebrate the diversity as the community of the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.
In the press statement, the police alleged that the organisers had dishonestly
caused to be published in the press, and gave the impression that they had 
given authority and or approval to the intended event.
“Whereas you requested for security and traffic control, which we agreed to
avail and that position still stands,” reads part of the press statement.
The police stated that while their general mandate in public events was to
maintain law and order in terms of providing security and traffic control, they
wanted to categorically point out that they were not in any way associated with
Rock of Hope and neither did they sanction the intended event.
“Suffice to point out and emphasise that we are not the authority givers in
the case of your intended march and celebrations. We do hope you are accordingly
guided, and the wrong perception you have created is publicly corrected,”
stated the police.
Interestingly, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer
Superintendent Khulani Mamba, in his personal capacity as a prophet, recently
made sentiments to the effect that gays and lesbians could not be given a
platform or have any authority over Eswatini.
This took place last Sunday in Ezulwini during an annual prayer service held at
the umphakatsi.