Swazi Observer

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SIPHOFANENI TURNED TO WAR ZONE AS POLICE, MARCHERS CLASH

By Simon Shabangu | 2021-06-27

Siphofaneni reminisced a war zone as police and protesters clashed when the youth, despite a government ban, insisted on delivering a petition listing their concerns to the area Member of Parliament at the Inkhundla centre yesterday.

The youth had intended to deliver a petition to the area’s Member of Parliament Mduduzi Simelane, who happens to be among the pro-democracy legislators. Simelane, affectionately known as Gawuzela in the gospel music scene, is one the Members of Parliament who have openly called for the country to have an elected prime minister.

Others are MP Mduduzi Mabuza, well-known as Bacede from Hosea Inkhundla, as well as MP Mthandeni Dube from Ngwempisi Inkundla. The confrontation came after government released a statement banning the delivery of petitions at the various Tinkhundla centres.

Yesterday was scheduled to be the delivery of petitions in various Tinkhundla centres, including Siphofaneni and Ngwempisi, among others. Police had a busy day at Siphofaneni, as rioters kept them busy by starting fires from all the roads leading to the small but buzzing town.

The police water cannon was the busiest of the vehicles, as it kept putting out the fires which were started from all around the roads leading to the town. Most of the fires were started in the middle of the roads, bringing traffic to a halt. While police put out the fire from one side, another will start from the other end.

The targeted roads were the ones from Sithobeleni, Big-bend and the one going to Manzini. Teargas canisters were fired throughout the day, as the relentless rioting youth did not give up on their mission. They ended the day with a march to Phuzumoya.

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