MATSAPHA: Ground forces allegedly invaded Prophet Qwabe’s church at Mahlabatsini(New Village) on Tuesday night,shot and killed a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF) amid the abductions of civilians by Mswati’s soldiers.
Eswatini is in the midst of a political unrest, the ongoing shooting and killing of peaceful protestors by security forces resulted to the establishment of ground forces who are protecting the civilians from Mswati’s brutality by targeting the police and soldiers.
The shooting of the soldier was confirmed by the newly appointed female Commander of the Ground Forces when speaking to this Swaziland News on Tuesday evening.
“It’s true, the forces went to Prophet Qwabe’s church during a night service on Tuesday, after receiving information that there was a soldier who was a member of the church,” said the Commander.
Reached for comments, Prophet Qwabe said he was not part of the service on Tuesday night and promised to get more details about the shooting before commenting.
“I was not there when it happened, I will have to get more details before commenting”, said the Prophet.
The name of the soldier who was allegedly shot by the Ground Forces is known to publication but cannot be revealed for now pending some few remaining verifications.
Police Spokesperson Phindile Vilakati had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
While this journalist was busy verifying the story after receiving the information on Tuesday evening, on Wednesday morning, a member of the public called this journalist and narrated a corroborative version regarding the shooting.
“Editor, I am here at Sigodvweni(Matsapha Police Station), police officers are taking guns. One of the officers told me that they are preparing to shoot Solidarity Forces after receiving information that the members of the forces are somewhere in Matsapha. He said the Solidarity Forces shot a soldier.The police officers are driving in a White Double Cab D4D,” said the member of the public.
On another note, the newly appointed female Commander of the Ground Forces said they would escalate the shooting of soldiers and the police after Mswati’s forces intensified the killing of civilians and the abduction of human rights defenders.
“I have issued an order to members of the Ground Forces to shoot any soldier or police officer so that these people can understand that we are serious. The burning of their homes will continue but we need to escalate the shooting and killing because they are also killing the people”,said the Commander.
Matsapha Police Station.