ACTIVISTS PROPOSE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SHOT VICTIMS

MBABANE – Advocates for change activists have proposed a memorial service at constituency centres for all those who were allegedly shot and killed by members of security forces during the recent political unrest in the country.

The proposed prayer is scheduled for Saturday, ideally at tinkhundla centres. It comes after the country was marred by violent unrest which saw businesses and offices being vandalised and looted, while some members of the public were injured and killed.
According to Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) President Colani Maseko, the memorial service affected everyone, including students, unions, political parties and the civil society.

Planning

When asked about the execution plan of the memorial service and logistics, the president said they were currently in the final stages of the planning process and would share details once they were concluded. Maseko stated that government would be engaged to request for permission to host the event. Meanwhile, Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane said although he did not plan the prayer, he was aware that some emaSwati were planning such an event. “I will partake in the prayer if it eventually happens, but it will be virtual because my life is in danger,” Simelane said. He said he would not risk his life by attending physically.  The MP said he would have to wait and see if it would eventually take place. He reiterated that in the event he would be a part of the memorial services, he would participate virtually.

“Otherwise I am fully for the prayer because we should honour those people (the deceased),” Simelane said. Meanwhile, Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said government was not made aware of the proposed prayer. “At a time when Eswatini is now in the third wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly discourage any gathering of crowds. We all need to be vigilant in protecting each other from the devastating effects of the virus,” Dlamini said. Meanwhile, during the violent unrest that took place last week, over 10 tinkhundla centres were damaged countrywide. This was revealed when Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala inspected some of the tinkhundla centres that were damaged in the Shiselweni Region. The visited constituency centres were; Ngudzeni, Sandleni, KuMethula and Maseyiseyini. The ministry’s Communications Officer Nosimilo Dlamini said currently, the value in monetary terms lost to the burning of the constituency centres was yet to be ascertained. Dlamini said today, the ministry would tour Hosea, Somntongo and Matsanjeni constituency centres.

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