Government notes with deep concern the ongoing violence against civilians and members of our State security organisations.
On 26 December 2022, we received reports of the shooting of a Government vehicle that forms part of His Excellency, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini's escorts. And just this morning, we have received reports of the brutal murder of a civilian who was kidnapped from his home on Tuesday 27 December 2022 and his body dumped somewhere in Ntondozi. This is in the backdrop of alarming murder cases taking place across the country in the past weeks, and several other failed attempts to kill police officers in recent weeks.
These unfortunate incidents are sending a two-fold message to the public: that rogue elements inthe country are in possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms and that guns are in the hands of a happy trigger lot that shoots without any reason or specific purpose.
Government condemns these barbaric and criminal activities. Thorough investigations have been instituted to unearth the hide-out spots for these criminals and will be intensified as our national security services launch a nationwide exercise to scan the environment particularly around Matsapha and surrounding areas, which have given the State enough evidence that these places may have already been saturated with illegal firearms.
Government will continue to do everything possible to protect the Nation and will not rest until all these criminals are brought to book. We continue to urge the Nation to report any suspicious behaviour that may lead to loss of life.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
