LOAD-SHEDDING WOES

WHERE ARE THE COPS?

267 emaSwati would love to have a violence-free election held without any disturbances because after all, it has been proven that violence does not help the kingdom in any way.

:hether it is from State agents or pro-change activists, violence only serves to brew more hatred and division. It is not the solution.

It is well understood that this time around, the election process needs the highest level of security, to ensure that those who vote and want to be voted for are safe. -ust as those against the process have the right to boycott it those who wish to get involved should do so freely, without intimidation.

Political temperatures in Eswatini are at an unprecedented high.

So tense is the situation that in some areas, some people have been threatened with violence and arson if they register for the national elections.

There are people monitoring them from a distance as they walk into the registration centres.

To ensure the safety of both Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) officials and voters, government has ensured that each of the more than 500 registration centres has five or more armed security officers.

This means that about 3 000 security officers are now guarding registration centres. Criminals are well aware of this.

They have upped their game and are now attacking families and holding them hostage in their houses.

This has happened in )onteyn, 0babane, Ezulwini and 1dzingeni, among other areas. $rmed robberies targeting businesses are also on a sharp increase.

The modus operandi suggests that when they attack, the thugs are never in a hurry. They take their time because they know that the police will now come.

In that way, the State has made ordinary citizens sacrificial lambs.

People are losing property, money and even their lives in this crazy crime spree.

This is wrong and immoral. :hy isn’t there a proper strategy to ensure the safety and security of individuals and businesses, even as the election process continues"

21680(56 have reacted with shock and outrage at the announcement by the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) that power load-shedding will begin soon.

The complaint from some is that 55 years after independence, Eswatini still relies mainly on South $frica for its power supply.

This is part of a contract between the two countries, which itself will expire soon.

:hile emaSwati have enjoyed uninterrupted power supply, South $fricans are now used to load-shedding, albeit grudgingly.

The EEC has released a schedule for this painful exercise, expected to begin next month.

The entity should ensure that all consumers understand the schedule, so that they make the necessary arrangements protect their appliances when power goes off and when it returns.