By Zweli Martin Dlamini

While at home-LaMgabhi eTiyeni, one day I saw a soldier based at the nearby Mdzimba Army Barracks, he was standing at the gate and after being allowed in, he ‘kneeled down’ asking for a mere one hundred Rands(R100.00) to buy electricity units for his children back home.

Well,I have a soft spot for soldiers because, when I grew-up, my other father the late Army Chief of Staff Brigadier General Gwalagwala Dlamini, the grandfather of Princess Sikhanyiso’s children treated me like his own child.

The then Deputy Army Commander used to provide food, contribute school fees and, he issued an order to soldiers based at Mdzimba Army Barracks that every-time “they see me there, they must give me food including something to eat back home”.

So when I saw the soldier at my gate,I remembered how soldiers at Mdzimba Barracks were treating me based on the fact that,I am related to Prince Phikolezwe’s grandfather, my heart was literally touched to see a man almost in tears asking for a mere R100.00.

Of course,some of the soldiers at the Mdzimba Barracks who were good to me when I was young have died but at least, apart from the unfortunate killing of civilians during the recent political unrest, I know the good side of some soldiers.

So King Mswati must know that whenever his cruel and oppressive Government increases electricity and water tariffs, even his security officers including soldiers are effected, these are citizens with bills to pay.

In this country, we are related such that, it was hard for me to refuse the request by the soldier who asked for electricity units because, as Liswati who grew-up in poverty, I know exactly why the man was almost in tears.

Mswati is a multi-billionaire but despite the wealth he has accumulated, part of it by allegedly stealing public funds, he has increased water and is preparing to do the same with electricity, his behavior suggests that he will eventually be toppled.

Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, the toppled President of Sudan increased the price of bread and that was the end of his dictatorship rule, the protests organized by the ordinary citizens, were subsequently supported even by soldiers and that was the end of the once powerful dictator.

Bread,water and electricity are very sensitive commodities in the lives of the poor and vulnerable citizens but, this regime is using oppressive laws to steal from the pockets of the poor and powerless for the benefit of the ruling elite.

The banning or the regulation of boreholes and solar systems might be in the law but, that does not mean emaSwati must accept this ‘nonsense’, unjust laws must be rejected and vigorously challenged. 

The problem with having money or being rich is that, you then live in your own world and out of touch with reality and this, is very unfortunate.

When a poor human being asks “for a mere twenty Rands(R20,00) to buy bread” the joy in his/her face after receiving that R20.00 should tell you that, these basic commodities means a lot to the poor and vulnerable.

Water and electricity are basic commodities particularly after Government stopped emaSwati from cutting trees, “even kutfota” is now regulated.

A democratic Government ought to have known that, it’s existence, credibility or legitimacy is vested with the will of the people and therefore, we wouldn’t be having such oppressive laws and decisions.

It is therefore advisable that Government must consider removing these oppressive laws and further reduce the prices of water and electricity unless, such decisions are an act of committing political suicide by the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime.

During the recent political unrest, emaSwati never ‘looted’ cars, bricks, roofing material but, they looted bread among other food items.

This should be a lesson to the Tinkhundla regime that as the King’s Government imposes these oppressive decisions or laws, one day the hungry poor citizens will have no alternative but, to consume the rich and powerful.