SOLDIER HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 2 MONTHS

MATSAPHA – A member of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF) has spent two full months in solitary detention for his alleged role in the disappearance of a gun at the Matsapha Army Barracks.

Human rights lawyers have said the detention of the soldier was illegal and family members were worried about the soldier’s health. The soldier allegedly spent the two months in the ‘dark room’ and family members fear that his continued stay in the room and darkness would have an adverse effect on the soldier’s psychological health.

The gun, a Galil assault rifle, has since been found but the soldier remains detained behind strong walls at the army barracks. A Galil rifle is a modified version of the AK 47 rifle.

Initially, two soldiers, who both work in the armoury, were detained by the army but the other was released under unknown circumstances. An armoury is a strong room in which weapons such as guns are kept.

Army officials were left puzzled as to how the rifle vanished then returned inside the armoury heavily guarded by soldiers.
The name of the soldier is known but will not be revealed for ethical reasons. He was detained since June 11, 2015 after the disappearance of the gun alongside the other who was later released. It is still not clear according to relatives why the soldier was still being kept in detention after the rifle was found.

They revealed that they were allowed to see him for at least five minutes. Some of the relatives said the soldier, aged around 40, had four children and that family members were concerned about his health.

Detention

“Why don’t they at least allow him to be out of detention while they are investigating the matter?” they wondered. “He is physically changing,” said some relatives.

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