LUSHINI UMPHAKATSI BURNT AHEAD OF ELECTION COMMISSION’S CIVIC VOTER EDUCATION

Tensions are rising in Hosea as Lushini uMphakatsi was reportedly set ablaze on Friday night, just hours before the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) was scheduled to conduct a civic voter education session on Saturday. The arson attack also destroyed food that was intended to feed attendees during the event.

“It’s true that Lushini uMphakatsi was burnt last night (Friday). We were expecting officials from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) this morning,” confirmed Sanele Simelane, the Hosea Bucopho BeNkhundla.

While details about the incident remain unclear, reports indicate that police had been patrolling various royal kraals (iMiphakatsi) in Hosea ahead of the EBC’s activities. Despite the increased police presence, the arsonists managed to set fire to Lushini uMphakatsi, located approximately two kilometers from the Hosea Inkhundla building. It remains unknown how they evaded detection.

A questionnaire sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the police spokesperson, seeking comment on the incident had not been answered at the time of compiling this report.

The incident adds to the growing tension surrounding the Tinkhundla elections. Critics of the system argue that the elections, which exclude political parties from participating, are not representative of the people’s will and serve only to legitimize the monarchy’s grip on power. The destruction of Lushini uMphakatsi may be interpreted as an act of defiance against the system, reflecting the frustration and discontent among citizens in areas like Hosea, which has been a hotbed of pro-democracy activity.

The EBC’s civic voter education sessions are part of an effort to encourage participation in the Tinkhundla elections, but they are often viewed with skepticism by many Swazis who see them as a facade for legitimizing the undemocratic system. The arson attack underscores the volatile political climate in Eswatini, where tensions between pro-democracy activists and the monarchy have escalated in recent years.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the fire, the act has sparked renewed concerns about security and the potential for further unrest as the elections approach. The situation in Hosea, long a flashpoint for dissent, highlights the broader challenges facing Eswatini as it grapples with calls for democratic reforms and the growing dissatisfaction with the Tinkhundla governance system.

As investigations continue, the burning of Lushini uMphakatsi serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within the country. For many, it symbolizes the resistance to a system that they believe fails to represent their interests or address their grievances. Whether this incident will lead to further escalations remains to be seen, but it is clear that the road to the Tinkhundla elections will be marked by heightened tensions and uncertainty.