Mbabane: The National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police William Tsintsinbala Dlamini has issued a statement warning the public to adhere to the latest governed directive which bans the ongoing delivery of petitions.
The National Commissioner’s statement is following the government’s pronouncement on the immediate prohibition of the petitions delivery activities that have been taking place on the different Tinkhundla canters and other places across the country.
The commissioner said the government fittingly pointed that the petition delivery gatherings were degenerating into disorder and becoming epicenters of violence.
The Police boss stated that as a law enforcement agency, they were also closely monitoring the situation and were increasingly becoming deeply concerned by the lawlessness that headlined the petition delivery activities as he felt they were turning into conduits for instigating anarchy and disorder in the country.
The police boss stated that they have noted with concern that there are elements particularly on social media platforms and other electronic communication forums who are advocating and mobilizing for defiance of the government’s decision. He said such calls for defiance are irresponsible and at variance with the best interests of the country. He encouraged all law-abiding emaSwati not to be influenced by those who were mobilizing, whom he sad were, “the protagonists of anarchy.”
Dlamini stated that as police they were geared up and fully committed to ensuring that the order prohibiting these events as stated by the acting prime minister is strictly enforced.
“The police assisted by the other sister law enforcement agencies will be all out ensuring that no one contradicts this decision and will be zero-tolerant and unleash the full might of the law on anyone who will be found in defiance. Once more, we appeal for the co-operation of the nation in as far as the petition delivery activities are concerned. Let everyone abide by the government’s decision which has been taken in the best interests of the perpetuation of law and order in our country,” the police bigwig added.
Despite the police issuing warning and the government banning the delivery of petitions, it seems that protests will continue with the planned marches.
Earlier the Political Parities Assembly (PPA) spoke in one voice calling for the defiance of the pronouncement by the acting prime minister.
On Saturday, June 26, 2021, about 18 constituencies are scheduled to deliver petitions in various Tinkhunlda centers including all major cities and towns of the country; Mbabane, Manzini, Siphofaneni, Siteki, Nhlangano, Piggs Peak, Lavumisa.
Police have urged all citizens to remain at home for their own safety as all security forces will be deployed to various locations to maintain peace and order.
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