LUBULINI: King Mswati’s heavily armed soldiers allegedly invaded the home of political activist Ayanda Ndwandwe on Sunday, kidnapped two minor children and forced them to identify their father.
The soldiers invaded Lubulini after the attempted bombing of Station Commander Bheka Mabuza’s house who is wanted by the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) for killing a political activist Sifiso Sibiya.
It has been disclosed that after failing to locate Ayanda Ndwandwe using the children, the soldiers allegedly dumped the children.
Speaking to this Swaziland News, Ayanda Ndwandwe,the Organizer of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) said the bombing of the Station Commander's house coincided with a night rally that he had organized on Saturday.
“Heavily armed soldiers arrived at my home in four (4)cars and kidnapped my two kids aged five (5) and three (3) years.They took them to the sports ground looking for me, but I managed to escape before they arrived.The kids are now back at home and safe.I'm accused of hosting the rally which they claimed led to the bombing,”he said.
Tengetile Khumalo, the Army Spokesperson had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.
Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku,whose Ministry is responsible for the welfare of children opted to keep quiet by not responding to our questions at the of compiling this report.
Sakhile Dlamini, the Communications and Campaigns Officer of the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) condemned the use of children in conflicts.
“This is alarming and against the law; particularly the Children's Protection and Welfare Act (2012) criminalizes such behaviour. Children must not be used as weapons of conflict and or control.
If anything, children ought to be protected at all times and during times of conflict, their safety must be prioritized.This needs to be reported and awareness on such crimes must be raised to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions", she said.
Reached for comments,Pius Vilakati, the Spokesperson of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) shared the same sentiments.
“The kidnapping of children is a gross violation of human rights. Before things get worse,as the people of Swaziland we need to unite and make the last push for democracy,”said the CPS Spokesperson.
Soldiers invaded the home of Communist Party leader and kidnapped children.