By Zweli Martin Dlamini

LOBAMBA:Mswati was forced to ‘hide’ at Lozitha after unknown men invaded Ludzidzini Royal Palace on Monday night and fired shots.

The King was supposed to travel from Lozitha to Ludzidzini around 11:35pm on Monday only to receive information suggesting that his security officers have been shot by gunmen.

It has been disclosed that a soldier identified as Sanele Mavimbela who was among the security officers at the gate was allegedly injured and subsequently rushed to hospital.

The identity of the gunmen could not be ascertained at the time of compiling this report,all Commanders of the three known underground forces units said they were not aware of the Ludzidzini Palace operation.

“We were not involved in this operation, please check the female Commander and the other unit,” said the Commander of the Solidarity Forces.

But this Swaziland News is in possession of electronic evidence where members of the Royal Guard, being the police and soldiers,were discussing after the shooting.

The electronic evidence suggests that after the shooting,there was a serious conflict between soldiers and the police who were providing security at the gate,members of the army blamed police officers for sleeping on duty leaving the soldier vulnerable.

In the audio in our possession,some police officers who provide security to other members of the royal family shifted blame on the soldiers.

“You see now, the people came here and shot a soldier.When police officers were shot,soldiers were bragging saying they cannot be touched. Now, they are blaming the police,”said one of the police officers who is a member of the royal guard.

The police officer who was sleeping on duty when the gunmen arrived at the entrance of Ludzidzini Palace has been identified as Khetsiwe.

Reached for comments, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane advised this journalist to contact Police Spokesperson Phindile Vilakati or the Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo.

“I am not aware.Kindly take it up with the Police and Army PROs,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

But Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, the Army Spokesperson said the issue “falls outside” the jurisdiction of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF) adding that the Residence Governor or the King’s Spokesperson were better positioned to respond.

“Issues around and within Residences fall outside the ambit of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force Public Affairs Office. Kindly contact the Residence Governor or preferably, the King's Office Director Communications.They are better positioned to respond to any questionnaire regarding Royal Residences,” said the Army Spokesperson.

A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, however, she had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.

It has been revealed that the gunmen parked their car ‘far-away’ from the Palace, walked to Ludzidzini and started firing shots at the security officers who were at the Guard House.

“Labantfu befike babhaca lapha ebumnyameni lakute khona i-light badubula bahamba, nalesibhamu besivakala kutsi sikhulu(meaning: The gunmen were hiding away from the lights and they started firing shots, it was clear that they were using heavy guns,” said another member of the Royal Guard.

Reached for comments, Ludzidzini Palace Governor Lusendvo Fakudze promised to comment later.

”I will contact you later for a comment,” said the Governor.

King Mswati is facing political pressure to democratize, he is allegedly wanted death even by his own junior and senior police officers within the army and the police who are working closely with the Underground Forces.