By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MPAKA: Zweli Fakudze, a police officer based at Mpaka Police Post allegedly shot and killed Thandekile Kunene(22) of Nsulutane.

This happened at Mpaka Shopping Compex on Sunday where Thandekile Kunene, Dumsani Mgwazo Tsabedze, a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF) and others were allegedly found with a safe after an alleged attempted bombing of Automatic Teller Machines(ATM) and subsequent break-in at Mpaka Shopping Complex on Sunday morning.

It has been disclosed that Fakudze was with other police officers including another one identified as Dludlu when killing the Mpaka residents.

Phindile Vilakati, the eSwatini Police Spokesperson declined to comment when reached for comments by this Swaziland News.

Reached for comments, Siboniso Mkhabela, an influential member of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) who visited the family on Sunday shortly after the shooting and mandated by the community organizers to speak about this matter, described the killing of Thandekile Kunene and other residents as an act of police brutality.

“This is not a case of theft or drunk youths. Police failed to apprehend the real culprits and preyed on these vulnerable young people.This is a clear case of police brutality.  Police continue to butcher our people like wild animals.The ‘eye for an eye’ operation as sanctioned by King Mswati III has officially begun. Our people must be more vigilant.Ironically, a soldier who is supposed to protect and defend the King has fallen victim of this maniac royal command,” said the influential member of PUDEMO.

Thandekile’s family members who rushed to the scene after the shooting cried hysterically after seeing her lifeless body on the ground.

On another note, Siboniso Mkhabela, the influential PUDEMO member said on Monday(22 August 2022), there would be a prayer service at the scene where the residents where killed. He urged residents and pro-democracy activists to attend the prayer at Mpaka Shopping Centre.