By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: King Mswati has ordered his Government to grant his alleged mercenaries citizenship as calls for their arrest intensify within their country of origin being South Africa.

Arnoldus Pienaar in collaboration with the army and the police allegedly killed freedom fighters that include Mlandvo Khumalo, Swazis First Deputy Secretary General(DSG)Muzi Mmema, he is suspected to be among those who killed highly regarded human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko as per an order allegedly issued by King Mswati.

Documents in our possession suggest that Mswati instructed his Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze to facilitate an order to grant Arnoldus Jacobus Pienaar citizenship.

The order communicated through a letter,was directed to Mswati’s sister Princess Lindiwe, the Minister of Home Affairs. 

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that the letter from the King’s Office was allegedly backdated to July 2022 to cover-up the ‘emergency’ and influence of the King in the matter,almost all supporting documents are dated January and February 2023.

“We have it in Command to inform you that His Majesty, the King would like the Citizenship Board to issue citizenship to the above named applicant as per the requirements of the Constitution,” reads the letter in part signed by the CEO in the King’s Office.

Worth-noting, apart from the King’s indirect ‘confession’ when dispersing his regiments at Engabezweni Palace, about three weeks ago, this is part of the documentary evidence that links Mswati with the alleged mercenaries who kill political activists.

Responding to our questionnaire on Thursday, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said issues of citizenship were handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs adding that the Citizenship Committee scrutinised applications.

“Citizenship applications are handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs  where where the Citizens Committee sits to scrutinize, pass or spike applications.Kindly take this matter up with Home Affairs. We have no information to that effect at  the moment,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

When this Swaziland News reached Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe for a comment, she terminated the conversation immediately after this investigative journalist introduced himself and posed questions.

“Siyaphila singeva nine Nkhosi(meaning:We are fine Nkhosi and you?”, said the Home Affairs Minister who subsequently terminated the conversation shortly after this journalist questioned her about the citizenship.

A questionnaire was sent to Mswati’s ‘Chief mercenary’ Arnoldus Pienaar, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

It has been disclosed that South African and eSwatini political parties are lobbying influential figures in that country to have the mercenaries arrested when visiting South Africa.

Bonginkosi ‘IB’ Dlamini, the Convenor of the  United Eswatini Diaspora(UED) confirmed that they were handling the matter of the alleged South African mercenaries but promised to share more details and developments later.

“It’s true that we are prioritizing the issue of the mercenaries, we will share the details and developments later,” said the Convenor of the United Eswatini Diaspora.

On Friday(10th February 2023),the United Eswatini Diaspora(UED) in collaboration with South African and eSwatini political parties are expected to march to the Department of International Relations and Corporation(DIRCO) to deliver a petition, demanding the arrest of the mercenaries.