SIMUNYE: Simunye Desk Officer Nhlanhla Nkomonye is the police officer who invaded the home of human rights defender Siboniso Mkhabela and arrested him.
Mkhabela, the International Relations Officer of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO), was arrested on Wednesday after being consistently harassed by King Mswati’s police officers who recently seized his cellphones and other gadgets.
Mkhabela, fearing for his life amid the abduction of human rights defenders in eSwatini by Mswati’s forces,sent a voice note to this journalist on Wednesday morning.
“They are here Nkhosi, arresting me”, he said in the voice note.
The Desk Officer was heard in the voice note ordering Mkhabela to open the door, Nkomonye was in the company of a battalion of armed police officers.
Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu,the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO)confirmed the arrest of Mkhabela adding that he would appear in court on Thursday.
“He will appear in court tomorrow,” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
A member of the Nkomonye family who contacted this publication said the Desk Officer was related to the late University student Thabani Nkomonye who was allegedly killed by the police.
“He is our relative but when we asked him to assist and inspect the crime scene where the body of Thabani was dumped, he refused and sided with the police. I was shocked to hear that it’s him in the voice note,” said the family member.
Simunye Desk Officer Nhlanhla Nkomonye.