RESIGNED ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL GOING HOME

MANZINI - Army Commander General Jeffery Gubuzumlambo Tshabalala is going home.

This is because the former army commander, who was working in the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) on a contract basis (three years) as he was over 60 years, has resigned. According to the Army Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, Tshabalala’s contract was due to expire in June 2022, but following his resignation, he would leave the army, but continue to be a Foster General like all other former army commanders. The resignation of the army commander was announced by himself during a press conference held at the army headquarters at Nokwane yesterday. He did this in the presence of Prince Hlangusempi, who is the National Chief Defence Officer. Tshabalala said given the recent developments, it put him as the army commander in a very precarious position.

Confidence

Therefore, he thanked Their Majesties; the King, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the military, and the Queen Mother for having confidence in him by bestowing this national duty which many other officers were looking forward to also serve in, but he was given the honour. Tshabalala, who was appointed by the King to the position in June 2019, said after assuming the duties of being the army commander, he was grateful that he had a lot of support from government, the nation and the entire armed personnel, including their sister security forces; the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS). He expressed hope that they would continue to render such support even to future dreams of the army. Again, he said following the resumption of duty, he had of course a lot of ideas, hopes and aspirations of making a difference in the army so that it became a military of the 21st century, by bringing technology and good training among other things.

Developments

“However, with all these developments in the public domain, I have taken it upon myself to make a plea to His Majesty King Mswati III, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the military, that I feel it will not be appropriate for me to continue as the army commander because this had a great potential to compromise my position as the leader of the army,” Tshabalala said. In that regard, he said he humbly and respectfully requested Their Majesties to relieve him of the duties of being the army commander. He said he would carry out other duties of Their Majesties and remain a humble and loyal servant of the King and the Queen Mother. He sent his appreciation to all the army commanders, who contributed immensely to his career in the military.

Thereafter, he recognised and thanked the support from generals, officers, commissioned and non-commissioned officers for their outstanding teamwork that they gave him as he was carrying out the national task of being the army commander. He also appreciated the enormous support he received from the chiefs of the two other security forces, since he assumed the position of army commander. He then appealed to the heads of the security forces to also render the same teamwork and support to the future army commander. To the entire personnel of the UEDF, he said respect, loyalty, honesty and integrity should remain at the apex of operations at all times as they pursued their national duties. Moreover, he said his appreciation also went to his family for the resolute support they gave him while undertaking the national and noble duty as army commander.

Announce

Meanwhile, the National Chief Defence Officer, Prince Hlangusempi, said they would wait for His Majesty King Mswati III to announce who would act as the army commander. On the other hand, King’s Office Spokesperson Percy Simelane said he was not aware that Tshabalala had resigned as the army commander. It is worth noting that recently, one of the issues that were in the public domain and had to do with the former army commander, was an alleged recorded conversation between him and a police officer, Sergeant Cebile Shongwe, where he allegedly revealed information about him meeting with the King to report on certain developments which were taking place in the country. This information was published by Swaziland News.

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