Makhundu is back!

(Comment) 

May we bow our heads and pray. Pray for peace to prevail in these times of war.

Let us also pray for our new Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, and ask the Almighty God to guide him wisely in the military mandate assigned to him by His Majesty the King at the national cattle byre in front of thousands yesterday. To the shock and disbelief of some of his subjects and delight of others, the king—regarded as a symbol of peace and unity—declared war on those who have chosen to use violent means to be heard.

He has instructed the new PM to deal with the ‘terrorists’ using every means possible… even if it means strangling their progressive heroes.

The highly emotional speech from the Ingwenyama, who currently holds chairmanship of the Peace and Security organ of SADC and the return of the former PM, sent mixed feelings across the land yesterday, with many expressing fears of a possible civil conflict as government sets out to fight fire with fire.

His concern extends to the role of neighbouring countries that seem to be in support of organisations such as COSATU, who have openly declared their mission to help democratise Swaziland. Government has come out strongly to declare that Swazis do not need liberation.

The king’s speech has also raised possibilities of a diplomatic row following the ‘silence’ of neighbouring South Africa despite that one of the alleged deceased bombers was South African.

Also of concern to the king is the state of our security and wants heads to roll within what he described a ‘softie’ force. With a police force always in conflict with itself, where there are daily squabbles between the junior and senior officers, public safety can never be guaranteed.

Terrorism is an evil that needs to be wiped out and His Majesty the King has every right to demand that the perpetrators be brought to book, but all should be done within the confines of the law.

We wish not to revert back to the days of detentions without trials and police brutality of innocent citizens, just to be seen to be doing something. ‘Makhundu’ may not be the cure.

The king has called for every citizen to give the new PM support. This he will get because we need to move this country forward, but only if all his actions are in the best interest of the people and not individuals.

Barnabas is a known tough cookie and the relief upon his departure was thunderous. We can do nothing about who becomes PM in this country but given his track record, the new PM has a great challenge to change the perceptions and win the necessary support.

He should remember that in whatever he does in carrying out his mandate, this country simply cannot afford a civil war.

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