A chief in Swaziland has
been accused of unleashing ‘an army of drunken militia’ to beat up a group of community
leaders.
Chief Ndlaluhlaza of Bulandzeni
did this to stop a dispute among his subjects, the Observer on Saturday newspaper in Swaziland reported (17 February
2018).
The newspaper reported, ‘The
group of militia said to be from Buhlebuyeza Royal Kraal and were imbibing on
alcohol, hurled insults to the inner council after heavily assaulting them. The
chief’s militia group is alleged to have also unleashed a reign of terror on
residents, including the inner council leaders with their local leader Indvuna
Dzingalive [Magagula], who is now nursing a broken arm.’
It said the incident was
alleged to have happened in Mavula, near Sihhoye on Sunday 11 February 2018.
The Observer reported, ‘The militia group came with one mandate; that
of assaulting anyone who was at the gathering for blessing newly installed
people, in an area reserved for small community businesses.’
It said, ‘The
uncompromising militia came armed with spears and wooden rods whereby they
first visited the home of the indvuna at Timbondvweni, demanding to know from
his wife his whereabouts.
‘The militia is said to
have been transported on a van belonging to the chief. After failing to get the
indvuna they went for umfana wendvuna (assistant/trustee) John Magagula.’
The newspaper added, ‘The
militia allegedly pounced on the unsuspecting inner council and without
communicating anything, started assaulting the members and others at the
community gathering. They were assaulted with wooded rods and fists. It is said
people ran helter skelter as the militia were baying for blood, assaulted
everyone, including the elderly.
The Observer
added, ‘Police are alleged not to have not set foot in the
area to record a statement from the people who were assaulted and injured. Even
during the time when they were given the RSP [Royal Swaziland Police] forms for
them to be admitted in hospital, no statements were recorded.’
In Swaziland Chiefs are the local representatives of
King Mswati III who rules the impoverished kingdom as sub-Saharan Africa’s last
absolute monarch. The chief wields tremendous power over their subjects and
can, for example, determine whether people are allowed to live in the area, or
whether children can attend universities and colleges. In some cases they
decide who lives and who dies as they are in charge of distributing
international food aid to starving communities. About a third of the population
of Swaziland receiving food aid each year.
See also
ABUSED POWER OF SWAZI CHIEFS
BULLYING
CHIEFS RULE IN SWAZILAND
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