… UEDF reports no unusual cross-border movement
… Security agencies remain on high alert
… SA protests leave Eswatini unaffected
BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – It was just a normal day along Eswatini’s border areas despite the anti-illegal immigration protests that unfolded across South Africa on Tuesday, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has said.
UEDF Public Relations Officer Sandile Gwebu said authorities did not record any unusual movement of people entering Eswatini from South Africa as the nationwide “March and March” protests took place in several provinces.
“It was just a normal day along Eswatini’s border areas,” said Gwebu.
He said the UEDF is working closely with other security agencies to monitor the situation and ensure the country’s borders remain secure.
“We are working with other security agencies to closely monitor the situation,” he said.
The assurance comes as demonstrations calling for the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals were held in several parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Soweto, and the Western Cape. Protesters marched under the banner of the “March and March” movement, while police maintained a strong presence in areas where the demonstrations took place.
Despite concerns that the protests could lead to increased cross-border movement, Eswatini authorities said there was no influx of people entering the country through its border posts during the day. Normal operations continued at the country’s border areas, with security agencies remaining on high alert to respond to any developments should the situation change.
Gwebu said the UEDF and other security agencies would continue monitoring the situation closely as events unfold in the neighbouring country. He stressed that the Kingdom’s borders remain secure and that there is no cause for alarm.
Meanwhile, organisers of the South African demonstrations said their campaign against illegal immigration would continue beyond Tuesday, with some communities indicating they would maintain pressure on the government to accelerate the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.
However, the protests had no immediate impact on Eswatini, where authorities confirmed that it was business as usual along the country’s border areas.
