GOVT NOT TO BLAME FOR VIOLENCE – ACTING PM

MBABANE – Government has strongly disputed claims that it was to blame for the violent scenes that occurred countrywide.

Following violent scenes witnessed in the past few days, some emaSwati have blamed government’s decision to suspend the delivery of petitions at tinkhundla centres. The suspension of the delivery of petitions was announced by acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku during a press conference held at Cabinet last week Thursday. During a press conference held on Tuesday, this publication brought it to the attention of the acting PM that there was a feeling, especially by social media users, that the suspension of the delivery of petitions had angered some people who in turn became violent. In response, the acting PM said there was something known as a narrative where people took certain circumstances and used them for their own agendas.

He said his statement was clear on the reason why government decided to suspend the delivery of petitions. “Maybe the mistake was that at the time I did not state the alternative measures put in place to allow the public to voice out their concerns. I have outlined it now. Sadly, those who are blaming government did not think like that because most of them did not want to understand that you cannot invite people to a gathering that will put them in trouble. That is what I emphasised,” he said. Elaborating, Masuku said it was just a narrative and that the rest was all about emphasising why the delivery of the petitions was not safe including that even those who were expected to receive them were violently treated.

“We were trying to control the situation. I am not a violent person myself. It puzzles me that there are fake news like this,” he said. The acting PM said the protests witnessed of late had been hijacked by criminal elements and that such could not be acceptable under any circumstances. “No one can hide behind a glass wall of grievances to administer harm to others and cause unrest and anarchy. The law will be upheld against all those who perpetuate anarchy and threaten the lives and livelihoods of emaSwati,” the acting PM said. He said security forces were on the ground to maintain law and order. “We request the nation to cooperate with the security forces as they are deployed to protect the lives of all emaSwati and residents of this beautiful kingdom, including private and public property,” pleaded Masuku.

Meanwhile, the acting PM spoke strongly about fake news and wrong information fed to the public. He said he was shocked to hear fake reports that His Majesty King Mswati III had left the country. “This is actually disgusting because it shakes the foundation of the country. This is an act of being irresponsible and I know that those spreading such news are not proper journalists. They are fake animals sitting somewhere so it is terrible,” he said. The acting PM also denied reports that government had switched off the network making emaSwati fail to access the internet. He said he was yet to ascertain what had actually happened.

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