By Colani Khulekani Maseko.

NOKWANE:Lioness Sibande, the Secretary General(SG) of the Swaziland People’s Liberation Movement(SPLM) has released a statement on behalf of the political organization,condemning King Mswati’s army for threatening and/or inciting violence against human rights defenders and political activists.

The threats were issued during the Army Day Celebration at the Nokwane Army Headquarters on Friday and the event was graced by among others, former South African President Jacob Zuma and Ex-Botswana President Lieutenant General Ian Khama.

"The accompanying narrator emphasized that these drills were specifically design to address future potential demonstrations. Unfortunately, this evoked painful memories for many Swazis, reminiscent of a tragic incident that occurred on October 20, 2022. On that day, teargas was deployed by armed members inside a bus carrying innocent,  unarmed government employees and Swazi citizens enroute to a peaceful and authorized march organized by the National Public Service Union(NAPSAWU).In an unprovoked and barbaric act, gunshots were fired at the workers as they desperately tried to escape the suffocating gas fumes within the bus”,reads the statement in part released by the Secretary General(SG) of Swaziland People’s Liberation Movement(SPLM).