Times Of Swaziland: ATTACKED FOR SINGING KING’S PRAISES

ATTACKED FOR SINGING KING’S PRAISES
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BY SIBUSISO SHANGE on 19/07/2021 08:39:00


LUDZIDZINI - When ‘Caphelumbutfo’ sang the King’s praises inside
Ludzidzini Cattle Byre; little did he know that some of those who followed the
event on television took offence.
Information gathered was to the effect that ‘Caphelumbutfo’, whose real name
is Sibusiso Mahlalela, was attacked by a mob a few minutes after he had alighted
from a bus after attending Sibaya. The incident is said to have happened at
Mhlaleni in Matsapha, where the warrior rents a flat.  When asked about the
incident, ‘Caphelumbutfo’ confirmed that he was attacked by a mob of about
20 people after he alighted from the motor vehicle. He stated that the mob was
carrying bush knives and stones.
Attire
“They accused me of singing the King’s praises and donning traditional
attire during Sibaya. They made it clear that they saw me singing the King’s
praises inside the cattle byre on television. I had to run for cover as the mob
pelted me with stones. My landlord had to call the police after they threatened
to burn the flat,” he said. ‘Caphelumbutfo’ said the mob stated that they
were not pleased by his actions while making allegations about the King, which
cannot be repeated for ethical reasons. He mentioned that he had since reported
the matter to the police and stated that he would not stop praising the King.
However, he considered relocating to another place where he would live without
fear. The warrior had people talking when he sang the King’s praises inside
Ludzidzini Cattle Byre on Friday.
Clad in his traditional attire, ‘Caphelumbutfo’, who was sitting at the
front, stood up and faced the entrance where the King enters the cattle byre.
With his melodious voice, ‘Caphelumbutfo’ caused silence when he began
singing the King’s praises. Those who followed him concluded that he had
prepared for the event. He noted some initiatives which had taken the country
forward as well as the King’s involvement in solving disputes in the SADC
Region. As a result, he received a massive applause. ‘Caphelumbutfo’ was
among those who sang the King’s praises while waiting for his arrival. They
included ‘Jubumgwaco’ and Two Minutes Shongwe among others. Shongwe said he
heard about the alleged attack on ‘Caphelumbutfo’ last Saturday. He said the
ill-treatment of those who showed support for the King was a violation of the
right to freedom of speech and association which is enshrined in the
Constitution. Shongwe said it was wrong to attack another person for showing
love and support for the King.
“This is the time to decide whether you want to pretend in fear for your life
or maintain your position.  I also sang the King’s praises as I always do. We
do this to show love and appreciation to the King. In Eswatini, we sing praises
to the King and the Queen Mother in appreciation for their existence and no one
has a right to stop us from doing that,” Shongwe said. He said relatives of
the people who attacked ‘Caphelumbutfo’ needed to call them to order before
they faced God’s wrath. He also said fighting the King and those who showed
support to him was like fighting God who appointed the King.