Police discover new people of interest every day – PM
SIKHUPHE - Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini says every day, the police discover new people who are of interest to the State.
The PM revealed this when he was briefing the media about the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU), which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between February 18 and 19, 2023. The press briefing was held at King Mswati III International Airport, shortly after his return to the country yesterday afternoon. The PM attended the assembly on behalf of the King.
He said this when he was responding to one of the questions posed by the media. He was asked how far had government gone in terms of apprehending the people who were of special interest to the State.
Violent
The media stated that this question arose from a statement which he made recently, that they knew the people who were behind the violent acts in the country and that they had their names and pictures.
Some of the well-known violent acts which took place in the country include arson attacks on government structures, businesses and personal properties, assassination of members of the State security organs and recently a leader of the mass democratic movement was killed in front of his family at his home in Bhunya.
In response, the PM said the people he was talking about were not only known by government, but even media practitioners and emaSwati in general.
Offence
He said some or one of them allegedly killed a member of His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) and were later seen admitting to committing the offence on social media.
“Again, when we say we know them, we do not mean we know where they are. We mean we know who they are, but maybe we might not know some of them,” the PM said.
However, he said security would always be there as police officers were there to protect life and property.
It was then that the PM revealed that every day members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) discovered new people who were allegedly connected to the violent acts which took place in the country and were of interest to the State.
He even made an example that after leaving the press conference venue (boardroom of King Mswati III International Airport Police Post), he might be told that one of the people who were present at the press briefing was connected to the violent acts and was of interest to the State.
Impasse
On the other hand, the PM was asked how long should the country go without recording an incident of a violent act that would not be linked to the ongoing political impasse, for government to declare that the environment was safe to host the national dialogue. It was highlighted to the PM that this question came about from the fact that a month had passed without recording a violent act in the country, as the last incident which was
presumed to be linked to the ongoing political impasse, was the assassination of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko (January 21, 2023).
“Siyadvumisa (we commend) that a month has passed without a violent act in the country, but the fact that you (media) are referring to 30 days, says a lot. Kumele kuphele umnyaka
(a year should pass without a violent act). Kahle kahle kumele kungenteki
(In fact, it (violent acts) should not happen),” the PM said.
He said they believed that everyone wanted the dialogue and the sooner the better. He added that he would consult with the relevant structures and stakeholders regarding the situation in the country - if it was safe to host the anticipated dialogue and the nation would be updated.