EX-WARDER KIDNAPPED BY PUDEMO MEMBERS - IB

MBABANE – Former warder and member of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces (SSF), Bheka Magagula, has reportedly been kidnapped in the Republic of South Africa (SA).
The allegations of Magagula’s kidnapping were made by United Eswatini Diaspora (UED) Convener Bonginkosi IB Dlamini, who further claimed that he was abducted by members of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). When asked to substantiate this claim, IB alleged that Magagula called on Sunday at around 10pm. When pressed further for evidence, he sent a screenshot of a call log indicating purported calls between himself and Magagula. Notably, the call log does not display the numbers but only names. Dlamini stated that they had reported the case at Mabopane Police Station in Pretoria, South Africa.

Notably, Magagula is also wanted in the country to assist police with informationn pertaining to a string of organised crimes, that were reportedly committed in 2022 South African Police Service (SAPS) office of the Provincial Commissioner in Gauteng, Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed that a case of a missing person has been opened at Mabopane Police Station. Masondo stated that the search for a missing person is underway. IB mentioned that on Sunday, at around 10pm, he received a call from Magagula. “I neglected the call, not realising the number and thinking it could be anyone who would call again,” IB said.

According to IB, just a few minutes after the call, he heard a knock on his bedroom door, and it was Gift Dlamini, informing him that he had just received a call from Magagula, who alleged that he was being attacked by members of a political party. He noted that, due to the ongoing police investigation, they would not disclose further details about the kidnapping as it might jeopardise the case. However, IB said that following Gift’s message, he returned the call and asked what was happening, to which Magagula responded that he was being attacked. When IB tried to ask Magagula who was attacking him and his location, he did not respond or call back. The UED convener stated that they then realised the situation was dire for Magagula, and he might be trying to flee from his assailants. He mentioned that they attempted to load airtime for him, hoping he would respond, but this was not the case.

desire

For some time, IB said they had been ignoring negative reports concerning some political formations, but they would now speak out, due to their love for the nation and their desire for freedom. He mentioned that the country is in crisis, because of the tendency to sweep issues under the carpet. In their quest to locate Magagula, they visited two police stations where they were informed on when Magagula had last been seen. IB said the police assisted them in opening a case, adding that they reported everything as told by Magagula. He stated that it would not help anyone to point fingers at Tinkhundla for everything that goes wrong within the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) when there is no evidence. He acknowledged that while Tinkhundla is not innocent and is an enemy, the truth is that not all evil originates from them.

freedom

“Some of these issues are our doing as political formations, stemming from individuals who believe that if freedom does not come through them, then it should not happen at all if they are not in power.” He said this is a challenge that needs to be addressed. IB noted that Magagula did not mention being attacked by the regime, but was specific that it was comrades. He asserted that if the serious problems within the MDM are not addressed, Eswatini will never achieve freedom. Meanwhile, he expressed pride in the members of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces and individuals of Magagula’s character. He stated that as an organisation, they do not consider someone’s affiliations and that as UED, they will do everything in their power to assist anyone in need, regardless of their background.

He emphasised that everyone who has joined the struggle is fighting for the liberation of emaSwati. Initially, he mentioned Commander Thabo Kunene, who was allegedly abducted by state agents, alongside Sibusiso Nkomonye, while in South Africa. “When members of the SSF fight, they are not doing it for themselves but for the entire nation.” IB urged emaSwati to support SSF members, as they have sacrificed their lives for the people. He noted that some individuals have described them as lazy, weak, and in diapers. On another note, Gift mentioned that as members of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), they had a meeting on Monday that concluded at 10pm. While attending to other calls after the meeting, he received a call from Magagula. Gift stated that he had been receiving calls from Magagula recently, so he recognised the caller as he had saved the number. “He did not use WhatsApp to call me; it was a direct call.”Gift mentioned that he has saved about three of Magagula’s numbers on his phone. After realising it was Magagula calling, he excused himself from another call to answer. “When I received the call, I could hear that he was running, and his voice was raised, yet he is usually soft-spoken. “

pursuing

He told me that he was being attacked by comrades and that he could die at any moment, because people were pursuing him. “I tried to find out who the comrades attacking him were, but the phone immediately went dead.” Gift said he took a screenshot of the call, which he received around 10pm, adding that he then called back, and Magagula mentioned he was being attacked by other comrades, allegedly working closely with a known PUDEMO member. He stated that despite mentioning names, they would not disclose these as advised by law enforcement officials handling the matter. Gift said Magagula made it clear where his attackers were coming from. After the phone call, he went straight to IB’s bedroom to share the unfortunate news. Gift said IB then reported that there was a call he had missed, thinking it was from Magagula. He expressed relief that modern technology would help substantiate the claims, and those behind the abduction would eventually be exposed.

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