By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Sergeant Bhekani Magagula allegedly grabbed and disappeared with weapons, he is demanding democracy from King Mswati.

A civil war is looming in this tiny Kingdom of eSwatini after King Mswati refused to participate in a political dialogue as per recommendations by SADC Troika,more security officers are defecting to join the pro-democracy movement and fight Mswati’s regime.

The senior Correctional Services officer sent a video to this journalist on Monday afternoon, confirming that he had resigned adding that the weapons were handed over to the Commander of Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF).

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Sergeant Bhekani Magagula said he resigned with officer Phakamani Magagula.

“It’s true that we have left the Correctional Services with weapons to be used in the fight for democracy. As I am talking to you, we are in a safe place,”said the security officer.

About four(4) weeks ago, Sergeant Bhekani Magagula told this journalist that he was planning to leave the Correctional Services to join those fighting for democracy.

Magagula has been supporting the pro-democracy movement while inside the Correctional Services.

Due to his alleged involvement in fighting for democracy behind the scenes,Sergeant Magagula was transferred from the Matsapha Maximum Prison with other pro-democracy senior officers who were suspected to have smuggled cellphone for incarcerated pro-democracy Member of Parliament(MP) Bacede Mabuza.

But Sergeant Magagula when speaking to this publication earlier, denied and refuted media reports suggesting that he was among those who allegedly smuggled cellphones for the incarcerated MP. He said some of his superiors who are supporting the Monarchy knew that he was pro-democratic and decided to link him to the smuggling of cell-phones scandal.

Superintendent Gugulethu Dlamini, the Correctional Services Spokesperson said she would have to seek permission from Government before commenting on such matters.

“I will have to first seek permission from Government before commenting,” said the Spokesperson of the Correctional Services when speaking to this Swaziland News earlier.

Reached for comments, the Commander of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) confirmed receiving the weapons adding that such equipment would help them during their operations in the fight against Mswati’s regime:

“This will really assist us in our operations. But we will issue a detailed comment once the weapons are kept in a more secure place,” said the Commander of the Solidarity Forces.

Eswatini is in the midst of a political crisis after King Mswati refused to engage in a political dialogue despite being pressured by the Southern African Development Community(SADC).

King Mswati subsequently unleashed soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for demanding democratic reforms.

Before shooting and killing the civilians, the King, through the then Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku issued a decree stopping the delivery of petitions in demand for democracy.

As a result of the deteriorating security situation in this tiny Kingdom, allegedly perpetrated by the King who commanded the shooting and killing of civilians during the Police Day, more security officers contacted this publication saying they wanted to resign with weapons and hand them over to the Solidarity Forces.

The SISF is an Underground Unit of the pro-democracy movement, members of the Solidarity Forces normally target security officers who shoot and kill innocent civilians 

Earlier this week, one senior member of the Royal Close Protection Unit(RCPU) told this publication that he was willing to share information about King Mswati’s movements.

The officer said as security officers they were the most oppressed adding that they normally witness how the King and his children abuse taxpayers money.

On another note, in the exclusive video sent to this Swaziland News, resigned Correctional Services officer Sergeant Bhekani Magagula stated that the weapons would be handed over to the rightful people until democracy was achieved.