By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: A bundle of State intelligence documents obtained by this publication’s investigation unit exposes an operational order by King Mswati’s police to ensure that protestors are not allowed to gather at the High Court this week in support of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

A police operation order is a highly confidential State document outlining a strategy to be used during an intended operation, it includes the types of resources required,the chain of command and the implementation methods.

Now, it has emerged that the State intelligence documents including the operational order in possession of this Swaziland News was allegedly prepared by the Police Executive Command and signed by Deputy National Commissioner Manoma V Masango on behalf of National Commissioner William Tsintsibala Dlamini.

“The operation will be under the strategic command of Mr. R.S. Mngometulu S/DNCP Chief Operations and Frontline Policing Services Officer on behalf of the National Commissioner of Police.

Mr. M.V. Masango DNCP Director General Operations and Territorial Policing assisted by acting Senior Operations Officer, Mr. R. D. Fakudze S/Supt will be overall in command of the operation. Mr. M. Ntshalintshali ANCP, Director General Intelligence Services assisted by Mr. V. Mkhabela ACP will be responsible for matters pertaining to internal state security. The department will also assist the operation with up-to-the-minute information so that commanders take informed decisions,” reads the operational order in part.

Critical State intelligence documents in our possession further expose that the operational order was developed by a team of senior police officers as per the recommendations from the Intelligence Unit.

It is alleged that on or about 22nd February 2022, King Mswati, the Police Commander-in Chief summoned National Commissioner and ordered him to among others, ensure that supporters of the MPs were dispersed at the High Court on the basis that 'these gatherings create an impression in the eyes of the international community that the MPs enjoyed huge political support from the people.

Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) described the operational plan of the police as illegal and urged citizens across the country to immediately engage in another disruption wherever they were if they were  blocked from gathering at the High Court to support their incarcerated Members of Parliament(MPs).

“This affirms the position suggesting that Government does not operate in accordance with the law, because this whole operation is illegal and has no legal instrument, not withstanding that it is violating basic human rights,” he said.

The PUDEMO Secretary General  said institutions of the State were being used by politicians for political purposes adding that there was no legal instrument from the court of law empowering the police to implement this operational order.

“We are calling all Swazis to at least make their way to Mbabane, but also, Swazis wherever  they are,they must engage in another disruption of whatever form. The State is disrupting our lives, we are supposed to go to court and support our MPs, it is disrupting that. So if now, everybody engages in an illegal activity, what must the citizens do?” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.

Questions were sent to William Tsintsibala Dlamini, the National Commissioner of Police about the operational order, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But a high level independent investigation by this Swaziland News further uncovered that the operational order would act as a guiding operational method from the 22nd-25th March 2022, these are dates where the MPs would be appearing in court.

The list of police officers who would be on duty during the operation from the Executive Command to the junior ranks are listed in the State documents, part of the information contained in the other intelligence documents cannot be revealed for now pending further investigations.

King Mswati, one of the world’s remaining absolute Monarchies rules eSwatini as a dictator with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers.

Political parties are banned from participating in elections and dozens of civilians have been killed by soldiers and the police merely for protesting in demand for democratic reforms while pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) and human rights defenders are jailed.