LOBAMBA: Young women from the three(3) security forces will be armed with guns amid threats against the Umhlanga Reed Dance, this publication has gathered.
This disclosure comes after National Commissioner William Tsintsibala Dlamini addressed the media on Monday and warned those threatening the cultural event that there would be tight security to protect the maidens.
“Imbali from the security forces will be carrying guns to protect themselves,” said a Correctional Services Officer.
The officer shared some classified information where young girls within the security forces were receiving some training on shooting ahead of the ritual ceremony.
This Swaziland News reported that soldiers fired shots in the early morning hours on Tuesday as two political activists burnt Sidzidzi semhlanga at Luyengo(kaBhamsakhe).
Reached for comments, Siboniso Mkhabela, the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO)Head of International Relations said the King has been abusing culture to legitimize his dictatorship.
“For the longest time the King has abused culture in order to legitimise his dictatorship.This is absolute madness and signifies the beginning of the end of the cultural pillar.This provides an opportunity for the international community to realize that umhlanga is no longer a pure Swazi celebration but one man's effort to legitimise his ending dictatorship.Pure and people centered culture does not need security to be celebrated,” said the PUDEMO Head of International Relations.
Umhlanga Reed Dance(pic: int)