By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Russian military experts are allegedly in eSwatini,training King Mswati’s soldiers and the police on intelligence and the killing of civilians.

This comes after the visit to eSwatini in January 2023 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrow, where military cooperation between the two countries was discussed and strengthened.

The Russian Foreign Minister met, among others, Army Commander Mashikilisane Fakudze, Defense Principal Secretary (PS) Prince Sicalo, Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, and Foreign Affairs Minister Thulisile Dladla.

Soldiers and the police are currently using new military tactics as the killing of innocent civilians continues in this tiny Kingdom.

On or about Saturday, April 22, 2023, Mduduzi Mkhonta,a resident of Mashobeni,was shot and killed allegedly,by King Mswati’s soldiers merely for traveling at night.

The incident happened a few days after former Hhukwini Member of Parliament (MP) Stezi Gama’s son, Wonder Gama, a well-known Mbabane mechanic, was allegedly sprayed on the face by the police and set alight merely for traveling at night in the streets of the capital city,Mbabane.

Worth-noting, both recent incidents of human rights violations were not investigated or condemned by the eSwatini government.

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

An insider within the State Security Agency confirmed that Russians were training security officers on intelligence, including managing the current political situation.

"It’s true, the Russians are training us," said the insider.

Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), when addressing workers on Monday during the May Day disclosed that there were allegations suggesting that Russians were in the country,training soldiers.

"We have received information suggesting that Russians are here training security officers, they were invited by the very same person who hired mercenaries to kill us," said the NNLC President.

But Alexander Surikov,the Russian Ambassador to eSwatini when addressing a press conference, denied that his country was training Swazi soldiers.

"We are not training soldiers from Eswatini, we are only giving scholarships for higher military education," said the Ambassador.

Mswati’s government is strengthening ties with Russia with the intention of sourcing military services to intensify a crackdown on pro-democracy activists.

Around January 2023, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was allegedly assassinated by a team of Mswati’s soldiers,the police, and mercenaries. Human rights organizations are demanding an investigation into the brutal murder.