daniel chigunweMBABANE. — Some businesspeople are pleading with those behind the circulating poster about a possible shutdown in the country on August 18, to not bully them.
The poster started circulating last Monday just after news broke that incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube had their bail application dismissed.
Even though those in the forefront of the proposed shutdown remain unknown, the poster has seemingly caused nothing but fear of the unknown among some emaSwati as witnessed in their reactions.
The shutdown is under the hashtag “Kungahlwa Kwenile Civil War.” The term “kugahlwa kwenile” was the buzzword during the protests which culminated in vandalism, looting and loss of life at the end of June. Content contained in the poster is to the effect that beginning on August 15, which falls on Sunday, there would be a total shutdown in the country.
It is said that all businesses should close and those operating would hugely suffer together with those who would be caught going to work.
‘‘All those going to work will be disciplined, any vehicle going to work will be charged E50,’’ reads part of the circulating poster. However, Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said government would leave no stone unturned to make sure that the people of Eswatini were safe.
Some interviewed businesspeople said they had seen the poster and were pleading with the activists to not bully them or their businesses.
“I was hugely affected the last time and now there are rumours of another unrest. Can we not be part of that; we are already dealing with Covid-19 and now this,” said a businessman in the Mbabane city. — Swazi Times.
Online Reporter