By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly made a call to Reverend Senzo Hlatjwako this week saying, he will wait for a police report regarding the rape allegations against Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.

This is contained in leaked information from the State Intelligence Unit, Reverend Hlatjwako led a delegation that went to report Nxumalo to the PM last week for allegedly raping his friend Pastor’s two(2) children, the Pastor works under Pastor Mhlanga and his name cannot be revealed to protect the victims who are receiving counseling.

As reported by this Swaziland News earlier this week, it is alleged that, the father to the victims approached Hlatjwako and asked him to assist in reporting the matter to the PM as a political faction linked to Nxumalo was allegedly sabotaging efforts to open a criminal case with the police.

The State Intelligence information further suggests that, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini stated categorically that, he was against rape and abuse of women hence as the Minister of Police, he wants the law to take it’s course if these allegations have substance.

When allegations "have substance," it means there's evidence or a reasonable basis to suggest the claims are valid and warrant further investigation.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.

A prominent women rights activist who is alleged to be facilitating counseling for the victims said, it was too early to comment on the matter.

“It’s a sensitive matter and, even if the matter was reported to us, we are actually not allowed to comment on issues involving clients who are receiving counseling. Ngoba nanginga-commenta nje nyalo sekungaba ngatsi lendzaba uyitfole lakitsi kani utitfolele.Ncono naseyisenkantolo lapho-ke sitawu-commenta noma kanjani,” said the women’s rights activist.

Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the eSwatini Police Spokesperson declined to comment about the matter, she was asked why the police tried to sabotage the investigation.

Efforts to reach Reverend Senzo Hlatjwako proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, this is not the first time “an attempt is made by the Tinkhundla regime to undermine women and children’s rights in protection of those who are powerful and politically connected”.

A University student who was allegedly raped by Prince Sicelo was denied justice and despite protests and pressure from women rights groups, senior Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane successfully sabotaged the investigations.

As reported by the State owned eSwatini Observer, Nxumalo publicly confessed in church that, he was HIV+ and it remains unclear if the children were not infected.

But despite the confession that was recorded,Nxumalo subsequently took the newspaper to court, denying that he was HIV+, he then confirmed in court that it was actually his wife who was HIV+ not him.

Reached for comments on Friday morning, Colani Hlatjwako, the One Billion Rising Africa Coordinator urged the law enforcement agency to take the lead in eradicating Gender Based Violence(GBV) including rape.

“That’s why such allegations must be investigated and, the investigation must not be determined by the status of the person in society,” said the One Billion Rising Coordinator.