Africa-Press – Eswatini. While many celebrated their victories at the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) recruitment race in Ekukhanyeni Inkhundla, disappointment was written on the faces of at least 34 hopefuls who were disqualified for failing to meet the required standards.
According to recruitment officials on the ground, the disqualified participants were found to have serious irregularities, ranging from lack of proper identification to falsified documents. Some did not have national identity cards, while others bought passports and certificates.
Shockingly, a few participants were discovered to be underage, while others did not belong to the Ekukhanyeni Inkhundla constituency, making them ineligible for the day’s race.
One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the army’s recruitment process remains strictly merit-based and aims to ensure that only eligible and qualified candidates proceed. “We cannot compromise the integrity of this recruitment drive.
The disqualified individuals either failed to provide proper documentation or attempted to cheat their way into the process. This is unacceptable,” the official stressed.
The disqualification comes at a time when thousands of emaSwati youth are flocking to various Tinkhundla across the country to seize the rare opportunity of joining the defence force.
At each constituency, young men and women endure the gruelling 3.2-kilometre race, which is the first test before further stages of the recruitment.
Spectators at Ekukhanyeni expressed mixed reactions. While some sympathised with the disqualified candidates, many of whom had travelled long distances, others welcomed the army’s firm stance, saying it would deter dishonesty in the future.
“The rules are clear. If you don’t meet the requirements, then you cannot proceed. It’s unfortunate, but the army must be strict,” said one resident, who had come to cheer for the participants.
Meanwhile, Sipho Mamba (32) and Ndumiso Sibandze (28), both from Nyakeni, shone in the men’s category of the race, taking first and second place respectively, while several others secured their progression to the next phase of recruitment.
The UEDF recruitment exercise continues across different constituencies in the coming days, with officials emphasising that only genuine, eligible emaSwati youth will be considered.
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