Government condemns the burning and destruction of infrastructure

Mbabane: The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has condemned the burning and destroying of national infrastructure.

Speaking during a press briefing at the cabinet offices on Friday, Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini stated that government strongly condemns the burning and destroying of national infrastructure especially, school buildings, government offices, and health facilities, by arsonists and criminals hiding under the banner of political activism.

The premier said such behavior cannot be tolerated under any civilized and forward-looking society and there can never be any justification for such acts of violence. Dlamini said no political ideology can justify the destruction of infrastructure and property or allow threats and intimidation of the people it seeks to uplift.

Due to the unrest, the economy and education sector has already suffered greatly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with major disruptions of teaching and learning. The premier highlighted that the schools’ calendar is now at a critical stage where students have to prepare for examinations.

The premier noted sated that the price for the loss of schools will be too high to pay for emaSwati and will be felt for generations to come. He said education is a critical driver for wealth creation and economic development in any society and needs to be protected at all costs and under all circumstances. Unfortunately, the cost of all this destruction will be borne by the community and country, and not the perpetrators.

Dlamini further appealed to parents, learners, and community members to work closely with the police in protecting schools, national infrastructure, and private property ensuring that the arsonists and instigators face the full wrath of the law.

He said Police will intensify their investigations to bring to book the criminals that are burning schools, national infrastructure, and businesses, and all those using social media to instigate and spread messages of violence, hate, and terrorism against the Nation.