ROYAL GUARDS FINED FOR CELLPHONES

MBABANE – Some members of the security forces who work closely with royalty have been fined for the alleged careless use of their cellphones while on duty.

Information reaching this publication is that the royal guards comprise soldiers, police and correctional services officers. 
Usually, officers tasked with such duties are under the Close Protection Unit (CPU).
The amount of the fine could not be confirmed but foreign media reports allege that a fine of 29 cattle was paid in relation to the careless usage of cellphones.

Acting Ludzidzini Governor, Lusendvo Fakudze said the fine was meant to correct and deter them (the officers) because they work closely with authorities of the land.

“Bayakhiwa. Inhlawulo ayikhetsi kutsi ungubani. Uma umuntfu onile uyashaywa ngeluswati,” which translates to “They are being corrected and no one is immune to payment of a fine if they have erred as this is a way to correct them.”

He did not state the exact number of cattle that were paid but said whatever the amount, the authorities believed befitted the situation.
When asked if the officers paid the fine from their pockets or their institutions had taken the responsibility, Fakudze did not come out clear, save to get say: “Usually when a child commits an offence the parents are the ones who take responsibility.”

He added: “Usually, we say the children deliver whatever they have killed to their parents. So if the parents eat the prey, then they must pay for it.”
Fakudze was asked if the fine, in the form of cattle, has already been taken to the authorities and he said: “Once labadzala have spoken, there is no deferring, it has to happen instantly.”

He said his duty is overseeing and he does not have any influence on what the authorities have ordered.
Traditionalist, Chief Mangaliso Magongo said kaNgwane is the highest traditional structure of the land and it has to be respected at all times.

The chief said a decision taken at this level cannot be entertained by any other structure for the purposes of review.
He said:  “Nawushaywe kaNgwane kute encenye lawungaya khona.”

Magongo explained that kaNgwane does welcome appeal cases if parties are not satisfied about decisions or fined imposed at chiefdom level, either by a chief or any other traditional institution at a lower level.

None of the three security services were comfortable discussing the matter.
Even though they did not deny it, they felt it was beyond their jurisdiction to tackle.

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