Times Of Swaziland: ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL IN IMBALI BUSES

ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL IN IMBALI BUSES
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Sibusiso Shange on 31/08/2022 08:51:00


LUDZIDZINI - Security has been tightened for this year’s annual Reed Dance
Ceremony.
So tight is the security that maidens from all the four regions of the country
were escorted by armed security personnel from their chiefdoms to Ludzidzini
Royal Residence, where they registered for the event. While at Ludzidzini Royal
Residence, some uniformed and plain-clothes armed security personnel alighted
from the buses along with the maidens. It should be noted that the National
Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police William Tsitsibala Dlamini made it known that
security personnel would guard against anything that would sabotage or
intimidate the maidens during the course of the event.
Dlamini issued the warning after the security agency noted some elements which
they believed were aimed at intimidating the young girls and sabotaging the
event. The maidens arrived in a jovial mood despite the cold weather. They were
singing and dancing as they moved towards the registration spot. Noted was that
there was a common song which the maidens sang as they moved towards the
registration spot. The song was derived from a Bible verse, where Jesus Christ
was quoted having said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they
are doing.”
Song
The song said, “Ngwenyama uze ubatsetselele, abakwati labekwentako.” It is
common that regiments, be it Imbali, Lutsango or warriors, praise or condemn an
act in the form of songs during cultural events. Upon arrival at the
registration spot, the maidens were reminded of the expectation during the
course of the event. They were warned against the use of insults. The young
girls were encouraged to maintain hygiene and show concern for each other. They
were reminded to assemble at Ludzidzini Royal Residence at 6am in preparation to
march to Ngabezweni Royal Residence at 7am. “You are reminded that artificial
hair, make-up and braids are not allowed. If you decide to wear a tight
underneath, make sure it is covered,” the maidens were told. At the time of
compiling this report, the number of registered maidens could not be
ascertained.