MBABANE: Army Commander Jeffery Shabalala and eSwatini ‘Defense Minister’ Prince Sihlangsemphi allegedly flew to Russia to engage with intelligence officials among others in the midst of ongoing protests across the country.

This confirms an electronic evidence in our possession that exposed how King Mswati held a secret meeting with Jeffery Shabalala, the then Deputy Army Commander, Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) in the King’s office and Prince Sihlangusemphi where the absolute Monarch urged them to work together and protect his Throne.

It has been disclosed that as part of their trip, they were expected to take part in the passout of Swazi soldiers who were training in Russia.

This publication is in posession of collaborative information proving that the Army Commander did flew to Russia, part of his mission to that country remains a subject of investigation by this Swaziland News.

Senior security sources in Russia told this publication that the Army Commander and the Defense Council wanted to engage Russian intelligence experts to investigate the ring-leaders who are pushing the protests and further source other military assistance should the need arise.

“It’s true, the Army Commander is here, he arrived with Prince Sihlangusemphi around the 20th June but they are flying back this evening. As we speak they are taking a flight back, I think their military strategy is to intimidate the political leaders with foreign investigators and military personnel”,said the insider based in Russia.

A questionnaire was sent to the Army Commander and copied to the Defense Minister Prince Sihlangusemphi, however, both of them had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But in a previous comment, the Army Commander told this publication that he does not discuss security matters with a person who is not part of the State security agencies.

“I don’t talk about national security matters with anybody whose doesn’t belong to the security forces, ask those who told you about it” ,said the Army Commander when responding to a question from the editor.

Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the Heads of the Security forces were free to source assistance from anywhere in the world but he reminded them that King Mswati’s regime would eventually fall.

“They can source military assistance from anywhere in the world but unfortunately, King Mswati’s Tinkhundla system is falling, whether they like it or not. He must prepare for the future and accept change, the future is multiparty, his Kingdom will eventually fall”, said the PUDEMO President.

On another note, Swazi soldiers who went to Russia for training about four years ago alleged that they were made to starve by the Army Commander, some told this publication that they now want to come back home and resign.

“It’s like we were dumped here, we haven't been receiving allowances for years now, what can you do with E11,000.00 here in Russia?. You are supposed to buy your own air ticket, send money back home. Some of us are planning to resign and leave this whole thing when we come back home. Shabalala’s son went to Tanzania for training just for 18 months and was promoted. Minister Thulie Dladla’s son is here with us but he is receiving huge monies as allowances just because his mother is a Minister, this is not fair”,said the Swazi soldier.

Eswatini is facing growing calls for democratic reforms after citizens particularly the youth delivered petitions in various Tinkhundla centres across the country.

As the political tensions escalate King Mswati through Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku issued a decree banning all protests and delivery of petitions in the various Constituencies, National Commissioner of Police William Dlamini subsequent released a statement on Friday warning protestors that they will face the law for defying the directive.

But pro-democracy MPs, political parties and trade unions urged Swazis not to listen to the Acting Prime Minister and continue exercising their Constitutional right to protest and demand democracy.