Africa-Press – Eswatini. Independent media reports alleging the killing of police and soldiers allegedly by members of the pro-democracy Solidarity Forces in retaliation against the killing of civilians during the political unrest, might be presented as evidence by the State security officers who fled the country to Ireland.
It has been disclosed that, some of the police officers and soldiers are yet to appear for interviews after applying for asylum.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, declined to comment about the matter.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Friday, human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, the police officers and soldiers who fled to Ireland for safety or in fear of being killed were “within their rights” as the State failed to protect them.
“You will recall that, the police and soldiers were killed during the political unrest, some were injured but the State failed to protect them. So if these security officers could successfully present their case before the Ireland Immigration Officers, they will be granted the asylum because what they are alleging, happened. It would have been better if the State took action and protected them including organizing counseling sessions but the Police Service, as an organization, failed to do that,” said the lawyer.
Some police and soldiers were killed allegedly by the pro-democracy Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) and this, was after King Mswati’s soldiers the police shot and killed dozens of civilians merely for demanding democracy.
Eswatini is an absolute Monarchy, political parties are banned from participating in elections while human rights defenders, independent journalists and political activists are arrested, tortured or even killed merely for demanding democratic reforms.
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