Swaziland : TOP SOLDIER QUITS ARMY

A high ranking member of the army Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force has tendered his resignation from the army amidst reports that the Anti Corruption Commission’s (ACC) net was closing in on him on allegations of wrongdoing.

Major General Manyosi Simelane tendered his resignation letter to Army Commander General Sobantu Dlamini, after he was advised by some legal eagles that he should quit the army so that by the time of his arrest, which according to army sources was imminent, he would be no longer a member of the armed forces.

This, the sources said, would allow him to salvage some of his long-term service benefits within the army as he stood to lose everything if he was arrested while still a soldier. The sources said this would also protect the army’s image, while also enabling him to be arrested as a civilian, despite that the corruption allegations against him happened while he was still a soldier.

Although Army officials have thrown a thick shroud of secrecy over the matter, the inside sources revealed that the ACC was also investigating at least three very senior members of the force for corruption related offences. The three other top ranking army officials are known to this newspaper, but their identities cannot be revealed as yet. It has been disclosed that their arrests were also imminent after the ACC had made its case after conducting lengthy investigations against them.

The corruption allegations against Simelane include among others, abusing the name of royalty within the army, army supplies procurement irregularities and allegedly taking bribes for army jobs.

It is not yet clear whether the resignation will be recognised by the army, as soldiers, by the nature of their job, cannot wake up overnight and tender in their resignations without very strong reasons. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lutfo Dlamini, who also doubles up as the minister of defence could not confirm nor deny the allegations when he was called for comment yesterday.

Instead, he referred queries to the Army Commander Brigadier General Sobantu Dlamini or the principal secretary in the Ministry, John Kunene. Kunene could not be reached as his cellphone was out of the local network, while Army Commander Sobantu flatly refused to entertain reporters when they visited his home in Manzini yesterday.