By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Brigadier General Thembinkosi Mngometulu allegedly labelled the National Organizing Secretary(NOS) Penuel Malinga as a member of the Solidarity Forces while bathing at Ezulwini Manzana-Hot Spring.

This was disclosed by a royal insider who contacted this journalist after listening to the State Intelligence audio where Mngometulu and other senior army officials were plotting to assassinate Students President Colani Maseko.

“I don’t understand why Thembinkosi involved himself in this mess, because now the International Criminal Court(ICC) and Americans will use that when investigating. There’s an investigation about the State killings it’s just that Government is trying to downplay the pressure. Thembinkosi bekafika amenese Penuel lapha kuManzana nasigeza, ambite ngeli “Soli-Soli”. Bekafike atsi “unjani Soli-Soli”. Uboke sobute Penuel Malinga utakutjela kutsi bekammenesa kwani, sibatse siyamekhuta,”said the royal insider.

Manzana Hotspring is situated at Ezulwini next to Cuddle Puddle, a few meters away from the Royal Swazi Sun.

Worth-noting, Penuel Malinga survived a hail of bullets after the State attempted to kill him, this happened before the assassination of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

Reached for comments, PUDEMO’s Penuel Malinga confirmed that Brigadier Mngometulu used to label him as a member of the Solidarity Forces but clarified that it was a joke.

“But it was more like nicknames or jokes. While we were there, I used to call him “serial killer” who killed Swazis during the unrest and in return, he called me “lisoli-soli. Besibitana nje ngemagama sinyongana singemajaha, bekute inkinga,”said the PUDEMO senior member.

Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo asked this journalist to give her more time to respond to questionnaires, however, she rushed to send a statement to the State controlled media.

“Nkhosi, please ensure that you give me adequate time on your questionnaires,” said the Army Spokesperson.