KILLINGS NOT ALWAYS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, BUT CRIMINAL - ACTING PM

MBABANE – Government is of the view that the killings of security officers is not always politically motivated, but mere random acts of crime.

This was said by the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, during a press conference held at the Cabinet Offices yesterday afternoon. Masuku was responding to a question from this publication on the progress government had made in apprehending those facilitating the attacks on police officers and arson attacks in the country. In his response, Masuku said government was making quite a progress in that regard. He said it was also important to understand that sometimes the attacks on the police officers were not always related to the common attacks, which were political, but were mere criminal activities.

Criminals

He said sometimes criminals with unlicensed firearms would just conduct their criminal activities like robberies. He said even on those crimes, the law would take its course. He noted that sometimes the law might seem slower, but it would definitely catch up with the criminals. He stated that sometimes one would commit crime today and it took several years to be apprehended. He reminded emaSwati of the siSwati idiom which says ‘licala aliboli’, which can be loosely translated to mean; ‘one could commit a crime and be on the run for many years but the long arm of the law would eventually catch up with them’.

In his initial statement, Masuku wished a speedy recovery to the three police officers who were wounded by criminals at Kwaluseni in Matsapha on Tuesday night. He also sent words of comfort to their families. The officers, had just finished assisting OK Foods employees at Kwaluseni in closing the shop. The acting PM said he had personally spoken to all three officers yesterday and they were showing great strength and courage as they were receiving medical attention. “We would like to urge the entire Eswatini Nation to pray for their complete recovery so they can be reunited with their families,” said Masuku.

He added that government noted how some cold-blooded criminals continued to attack harmless emaSwati. He said this would not be tolerated. He said the long arm of the law would catch up with them, especially with the help of peace-loving members of the public. He reminded emaSwati that it was a serious crime to hurt a member of the security forces and it was also a crime to intimidate, insult, harass and support hostile behaviour against fellow citizens. He said no one would be allowed to interfere with the rights of others. “As we often say and we repeat today, the siSwati adage that says you are your brother’s keeper, nawe uliphoyisa, stands. We would like to thank all members of the public who have helped in investigations that have led to the arrest of criminals,” Masuku said. He added that the government continued to strengthen investigations and crime prevention measures to uproot violent crime in society.

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