By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Members of King Mswati's Timfingo squad that bombs properties belonging to political activists has been identified.

Timfingo is a siSwati word that refers to an undercover royal team that kills civilians on behalf of the King and or the Tinkhundla regime.

The establishment of the State bombing squad was exposed after this Swaziland News managed to access cellphone conversations of Mswati’s Governor Themba Ginindza who disclosed that they were training a squad to bomb political activists and their properties.

“We are also training our squad to burn them and their properties as well. Oh! they have burnt, if you know SWALIMO members in your area, just burn their properties as well. Akushiswane-ke sitobona kutsi ngubani longeke akhaliswe ngumlilo,” said the Governor.

A questionnaire was sent to Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, the Army Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of this report.

Now, this publication managed to get hold of WhatsApp conversations in a group that was allegedly formed by the soldiers and other security officers.

After bombing PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya’s home, the officers discussed ways of bombing Lubulini Member of Parliament(MP) Timothy Myeni’s home, however, one of the officers said he was afraid as the home as it was too heavy for him(liyesindza).

As the discussion about the home of the MP continued, one of the soldiers suggested that it must be bombed from far without coming closer.

“Wena uyakhona kumbomba ukhashane, ngitokuta ngitocela kuwe,” said the security officer.

Reached for comments, MP Timothy Myeni wondered why would anyone attempt to bomb his home merely for speaking on behalf of the people who elected him.

“I was employed by the people to speak on their behalf and I am doing just that, lena-ke yekutsi likhaya liyesindza, ngingatsini kodvwa vele ? lona liyesindza,” said the pro-democracy MP.

Reached for comments, one of the senior Commanders of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) confirmed that they were in possession of some of the names of those who bombed PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhaya’s home.

“We are aware that they were also planning to bomb MP Timothy Myeni’s home. But it would jeopardize our work to reveal their names, we want to deal with this issue the underground way, as they monitor the political leaders we are also monitoring them. Once we are done with that particular soldier, we will then announce that he or she was part of the bombing squad,” said the Commander of the Solidarity Forces.

A soldier who is very close to the matter told this publication that after the bombing of Mlungisi Makhanya’s home, the list of those who might be attacked include the home of PUDEMO Youth League President Sakhile Awuviva Nxumalo, SWALIMO President Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane, President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) Sibongile Mazibuko, the home of this journalist and Students Union President Colani Maseko among others.

Reached for comments earlier,human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum said the sentiments of the Governor that perpetuated violence were uncalled for.

“You can’t target political activists just because they are activists, political activists are not involved in violence.This ‘eye for an eye’ as commanded by the King himself will escalate the violence in the country.The only thing that can diffuse violence is a political dialogue, we need to sit down and talk,” said the MSF Chairperson.