MIXED EMOTIONS OVER ARMY DEPLOYMENT

MBABANE – There were mixed reaction regarding the deployment of army personnel in some corners of the country.

While some claimed that the sight of the soldiers brought confidence in emaSwati who were uncertain about their safety following planned activities by some pro-democracy formations, others felt intimidated. Some emaSwati were of the view that their safety was guaranteed, as they felt no one could just intimidate and harass them in the presence of the army. These were the people who were uncertain about their safety when they woke up for work yesterday morning. Some member of the public stated that the deployment of the army would help circumvent a repeat of what befell them last year.

“We were forced out of public transport and made to walk several kilometres last year. Even those with cars were made to pay at the illegal ‘toll gates’ in order to drive home. We had no choice but to comply with the unlawful activities because we were scared. Government has done the right thing by deploying the army because security is always a priority,” said one of the commuters, who claimed he was compelled to walk about 10 killometres.

Resources

However, others said there was no need for government to be wasting resources and deploy the army as if there was a war. Some members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) were spotted at Mvutjini in Ezulwini, where they were deployed strategically. Others were deployed at a peak along the Mbabane-Manzini Freeway Road, while some joined the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) at the roadblock manned in the area. Other soldiers were seen walking along the Mbabane-Ngwenya Freeway Road before they disappeared into a forest at Nkoyoyo.  This was a few metres from where another roadblock was manned in the area. At some point, the army was seen patrolling the capital city and surrounding areas along with the police, during the course of the day.

The joint forces managed to quash attempts to cause disorder by some people at the Mbabane and Nkoyoyo bus ranks. It was gathered that the joint forces responded promptly after the people chanted political slogans and sang political songs, while accusing the kombi operators of operating on a ‘public holiday’. “It was a two minutes thing at Nkoyoyo. There were some people who tried to intimidate the kombi operators, but their attempt was quashed by the arrival of the police officers,” said an eyewitness at Nkoyoyo. During a visit to the area, the situation was calm and business was back to normal.

Relief

Meanwhile, businesspeople heaved a sigh of relief when they saw security personnel deployed in some corners of the country yesterday. The personnel from the three security forces were visible in some corners of the country as early as 6am, following the proposed march by Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), even after they were denied permission by the Municipal Council of Mbabane. The security personnel were deployed strategically in the capital city and surrounding areas, while some conducted random patrols during the course of the day.
In an interview, some businesspeople said the presence of the security personnel brought about confidence, as they were uncertain about their safety.

“In most instances, when there is a protest in the country, some people take advantage and vandalise property. June 29, 2022 reminds me of the huge loss due to the looting, vandalism and burning of my structure which happened last year. I have not recovered from the loss, but instead I am in huge debts,” said one of the businesspeople whose shop was burnt down last year. The entrepreneur appreciated government for considering the deployment of the security personnel to safeguard their businesses. They stated that in as much as they owned the businesses, they were not the only beneficiaries as there were many emaSwati employed. “It is hard to invest in a country where a business is burnt down in a minute,” said another businessman.

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