Source alleged that the Kwaluseni gang wanted to avenge the death of a friend at Lobamba.

LOBAMBA - The increase in gangs in the country has forced residents to be extra careful at Lobamba as security has been tightened.

Lobamba residents said the act of the gangs has forced all residents to ensure they tread the night carefully as army patrols have been a challenge.

The residents said they now know there are areas, which are no-go areas as a result of the increased gang activities.

One resident pleaded for calm, saying they appreciated the assistance but they were concerned about the alleged assault of residents by the members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF).

The resident alleged that some members of the UEDF, around the Mashibhini area, in Lobamba, enforced residents to be indoors by 8pm.

Gangs lead to security breaches and can lead to anarchy and the army had to step in to protect locals from the emerging gangs.

The community members, who requested to remain anonymous in fear of victimisation, said enough was enough with the alleged harassment and forced curfew they were being subjected to by some members of the army.

Community members alleged they were subjected to an unprovoked assault, by the army personnel whenever they found them

Gang fights at Lobamba have led to tight security for residents in a bid to control the security lapse in the area. on the road after 8pm.

Themba*, not his real name, alleged that the army was stubbornly violating their rights to freely move from one place to another, saying they simply assaulted anyone they found on the road after 8pm.

“This is wrong, sometimes we want to go and visit friends, share a few drinks but the soldiers harass us for simply being outdoors at night,” alleged Themba.

Impeccable sources alleged that the UEDF imposed such a curfew when a fierce fight broke out between gang members from Kwaluseni and Lobamba, over an alleged killing of one of their own.

The source alleged that the Kwaluseni gang wanted to avenge the death of their friend at Lobamba, but when they faced strong resistance, they ran away and eventually sought protection from the army battalion stationed at Lobamba.

“When they reported their case to the soldiers, they were further punished for the crimes they had committed around Lobamba” alleged Themba.

Meanwhile, Themba said since that gang incident, residents of Mashibhini and surrounding areas were no longer allowed to be seen out of their own houses after

8pm.

Themba, when asked if gang violence was indeed rife, said he learned of these gangs and their brutal nature after the reported fights, which he had never personally witnessed.

Indvuna Yenkhundla Mbambadane

Bhembe confirmed that he heard about the curfew. Bhembe said while they appreciated the UEDF assistance in patrols, assaulting residents for being found on the road was unnecessary.

He suggested that the army should always be accompanied by police officers and community police members, who knew the people of that area better.

He said people had different emergency needs that could force them to move at night, like trying to find a way to get transport to take relatives to the hospital.

“Even simply going to get airtime to make an emergency call can force one to be on the streets late and that is not a crime and the army must not prohibit people from moving around their area as they pose no threat to anyone,” said Bhembe.

Bhembe also pleaded with the army to refrain from their acts and work with the police if they felt there was a potential threat, allowing the police to do what they know best than resorting to assaulting anyone. Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile