MATSAPHA: Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society, a humanitarian organisation has appealed to pro-democracy activists not to attack them in their line of duty when assisting those injured during the ongoing political unrest.
Addressing the media at Sibayeni Lodge in Matsapha on Wednesday, Danger Nhlabatsi, the Secretary General of the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society said their organisation was guided by seven (7) fundamental principles that included humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence adding that they didn't discriminate against, religion, class and colour.
"We appeal to protesters not to attack us in our line of duty since we are an independent organisation, we are always neutral in times of conflict, we don't take sides.In the political unrest we managed to administer first aid to 1335 injured victims including police officers.We couldn't reach many other victims due to the lack of transport",he said.
Reached for comments, Dr Siphetfo Dlamini, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) said the number of injured protestors including police officers was alarming for a country with a population of 1.2 million.
“Assuming that the 1335 individuals were bread winners and on average each bread winner is responsible for at least 10 others, this means the political unrest directly affected thirteen thousand three hundred and fifty(13 350) people. With this number, we have considered the effects of the political unrest on the economy,”said the SWALIMO Secretary General.
Eswatini Red Cross Society Secretary General Danger Nhlabatsi.