Africa-Press – Eswatini. Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, a soldier based at Mbutfo Army Barracks committed suicide on Saturday by ingesting a poisonous substance known as master 900.
Reached for comments, Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo confirmed the death of the soldier, she then expressed heartfelt condolences to their Majesties, the Army and the family of the deceased.
“The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force UEDF Public Affairs Office sadly confirms receipt of a demise report of private Skhumbuzo Dlamini from the battalion in charge of the operational area. The deceased unfortunately at the time of his demise had been granted a special leave which he had requested to attend to his personal problems to which the battalllion was cognizant of. The UEDF sends heartfelt condolences to their Majesties,UEDF fraternity ,family ,friends and all those who knew him. The UEDF Public Affairs Office however at this moment requests that the family be afforded the time and respect to mourn their loved one,” said the Public Affairs Officer of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF).
But it has been disclosed that, the soldier was facing financial challenges and as a result, he decided to end his life, “more security officers including the police are committing suicide in eSwatini as a result of low salaries”.
The security officers have been working without a fair salary increment for over ten(10) years, Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze reportedly refused to attend the ongoing salary negotiations saying “the Army was fine with the current salaries”.
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