MANZINI: Phiwayinkosi Dlamini, a student at the University of Eswatini(UNESWA) was allegedly shot in the eye at close range by royal police, he is currently admitted at the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) in Mbabane.
This was during a protest organised by UNESWA students where they were demanding justice for Thabani Nkomonye, a University law student who was allegedly killed by the police, his body was subsequently dumped at Nhlambeni.
Reached for comments, Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) confirmed the shooting of the student, he then appealed to the international community for assistance in terms of weapons that they can use as the youth to defend themselves against the police. He said it has become a norm for the police to attack them during peaceful protests and now they felt the need to defend themselves.
“But in the meantime, I would like to urge the youth to attend the protest tomorrow armed with any weapon, Mswati is fully aware his time is over and he is using violence to hold on to power. Tomorrow, we are going back to demand answers regarding the death of Thabani and we know police will be violent, so the youth must come fully prepared for war,” said the Students Union President.
Reached for comments, Phiwayinkosi Dlamini’s girlfriend Zethu Nkosi confirmed the incident but said it was hard for her to comment without permission from the family, she referred comments to Lando Dlamini, a sister to the injured student.
Reached for comments, Lando Dlamini said she was currently in a meeting and will contact this journalist later for a comment.
It has been disclosed that while Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku was addressing journalists during
a press conference in Mbabane, claiming His Majesty King Mswati’s Government was concerned with police brutality and has appointed Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mysterious death of Thabani Nkomonye, police were shooting students in Manzini.
“May I take this opportunity to reiterate that Government respects the right to life for all emaSwati and is determined to get to the bottom of this matter and unveil the truth. We understand the emotions that have been triggered by these serious allegations against the police and we appeal for public patience and support for the Coroner as she investigates this matter whose report will be made public” ,said the Acting Prime Minister on Monday.
But now, it has emerged that another student is fighting for his life at Mbabane Government Hospital Intensive Care Unit(ICU) after being shot by the police while the Acting Prime Minister was addressing journalists on Thabani Nkomonye’s case.
A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa and ruled by billionaire King Mswati as an absolute Monarch has been widely criticized by international organizations including Amnesty International for violating human rights, Government normally unleashes the police to brutally assault protestors who challenge the King’s Government. The country has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the health system has collapsed and government has been staggering in providing scholarships for students despite the establishment of the Scholarship Recovery Fund that was allegedly looted by royalty.
Phiwayinkosi Dlamini who was shot by the police in the eye at close range during