ARMY WANTS TO BOOST ECONOMY

NOKWANE – The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF) has revived its border liaison talks with their South African counterparts in order to counter criminal activities taking place along the borderline.

USDF Commander Lieutenant General Sobantu Dlamini made this known to His Majesty the King yesterday during the pass-out parade at Nokwane.
Dlamini said the protection of the country’s sovereignty remained paramount to the army’s border safeguarding duties.

Maximise

“We have recently revived our border liaison meetings with our South African counterparts which are designed to maximise our efforts in countering the threat of smuggling of counterfeit goods, narcotics, livestock rustling, poaching, undocumented immigrants as well as the proliferation of small arms ammunition to name a few.

“Your Majesty, this has a significant boost to our economies as our SACU receipts are heavily dependent on canalising goods to designated ports of entry and improvement of social security through the curbing of human trafficking and reduction of crime preventionce,” Dlamini said.  
Dlamini said the guarding of key installations, provision of assistance to other law enforcement agencies and participating in national ceremonial duties remained the main effort in the army operations.

He extended gratitude to countries that have been instrumental in the training of recruits and soldiers in various military courses. Some of the countries include the Republic of China of Taiwan, the United States of America (USA), South Africa and Tanzania.

Homage

Dlamini also paid homage to the US Department of Defence which he said contributed immeasurably to the USDF health services.
“These contributions, tailored to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, the control of tubercolosis, and other opportunistic infections, have yielded the desired results. The USDF is on the brink of declaring AIDS- related deaths a thing of the past,” Dlamini said.
He said the main benefactor of such positive news have been the communities all over the country who benefit through local and outreach programmes.

“As a result, Your Majesty, a positive perception is circulating all over the country that our clinic at Phocweni has the best medicine and care,” he said.
Dlamini said the army continues its partnership with government in assisting   storm victims and the destitute through the office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

“In this scenario where our combat engineers provide manpower and technical skills we have been able to construct 13 two-roomed houses during the past year in the Shiselweni region,” he said.

Skills

Dlamini said the recruits who passed out yesterday had acquired basic skills and personality of soldiering through the dedication of their instructors who are carefully selected for their acumen in imparting skills which will enable them to survive different scenarios.

“I therefore humbly request His Majesty the Commander-in-Chief to bless these recruits so that in the execution of their duties, Sathane (Satan) will stay away from them as they recall this important day in their budding career,” he said.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: