Africa-Press – Eswatini. Social media platforms are now being used to set Eswatini up against its neighbours, particularly the Republic of South Africa, according to Government Spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo.
Nxumalo, who was reacting to social media posts claiming the self-acclaimed commander, Thabo Kunene and Sibusiso Nkomonye were unlawfully apprehended.
Some social media commentators claimed that security personnel had illegally entered South Africa to arrest the duo.
They said this was human trafficking and called upon the South African Government to address the issue by calling the country to order, arguing that this undermined the sovereignty of South Africa.
However, Nxumalo said government frowned upon such statements because they were not meant to correct anything, but to strain diplomatic relationships between Eswatini and South Africa.
traction
“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini frowns upon wild allegations perpetuated through social media platforms and other conventional media houses against the country’s professional and highly disciplined security agencies,” he said.
Further, Nxumalo argued that such allegations remained untested in any court of law or any formal processes of inquiry, yet they continued to gain traction with reputable journalists and media houses.
He wondered if it was known in South Africa that one Thabo Kunene resided in that country and the date, month and year in which he entered that country.
Nxumalo also wondered if the border post he used to get into South Africa was known and the exact location in which Kunene stayed in South Africa, including his activities or business interests.
He said the two countries’ stable diplomatic ties could not be compromised by political agitators and enemies of peace and security in the Southern African region.
The spokesperson said the country’s security agencies effected arrests within the jurisdiction of the country, not in foreign lands, including neighbouring states.
He further warned social media commentators to think twice before doing what they did because government would not stop protecting people within the country from terrorism.
According to South Africa publication, City Press, the SA Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, denied knowledge of the allegations that the country’s security services officers invaded South Africa to abduct self-proclaimed ‘commander’ Thabo Kunene.
complaint
Speaking to the publication, Lamola pleaded ignorance of the incident said to have taken place in Rustenburg.
This comes after members of the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) in South Africa are said to have lodged a formal complaint with Lamola’s department and the department of international relations and cooperation.
The newspaper also claimed to have seen the videos in which Kunene allegedly confessed to leading a team that killed four police officers and 10 civilians after the unrest in July 2021.
Kunene is facing 43 charges, which include murder (six counts), attempted murder (17 counts), arson (six counts) and contravening section 5(1) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008.
Source: times
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