Mbabane: Umbutfo Eswatini Defence force has launched an internal investigation to determine the veracity of the video clip that has been circulating on social media for the past weekend.
The force’s Public Relations Officer 2nd Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, through a statement sent to this publication, Khumalo said in light of the perturbing circulating video clip, that has aroused the media’s attention, concerning suspected soldiers allegedly beating up civilians, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), public relations office states that when soldiers assume their operational duties, they wear the army uniform.
“With that being said, the defence force, has since launched meticulous, internal investigations to determine the veracity of the clip.” Khumalo said.
An independent investigation by this publication, revealed that the incident took place in the Hhohho region and the money that was seen on the ground was around E48 000 and the civilians were to use it in South Africa to stock dagga.
A female member of the force who commented on anonymity said an investigation is already underway and they have been getting tongue lashing over the video. She was quick to say people do not listen and that could sometimes lead to unplanned harm to the people by the force as soldiers were hard trained. She mentioned that once a civilian responds to a soldier in impolite way there can be a problem sometimes.
“Bantfu basisebentisa kabi” the soldier said in vernacular which can be translated as sometimes people give the force hard time on their duty.
Another male soldier told this publication that usually they allow people to use the informal crossings provided they report to them that they are going somewhere and they will come back soon. He said, however some do not report and those are the ones who find themselves in trouble with the force and they sometimes get that whipping. He said the force do not work like the Police force who open charges and create dockets for you, but as soldiers they just deal with you on the scene and set you free once you finish your punishment.
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