Son forced to beat mother in Eswatini land dispute

A violent incident unfolded in kaGasa, Eswatini, on Saturday, involving a longstanding land dispute between the Msibi clan of kaGasa and kaLiba in the Shiselweni region. A woman was allegedly beaten with a knobkerrie and her son forced to physically assault her by a group of men. The incident occurred in broad daylight at Lukholweni, kaGasa, and was reportedly part of a larger conflict over a wetland project.

The land dispute centers around a wetland project undertaken by a faction from kaLiba, which has been met with resistance from kaGasa residents. The project, known as the KaLiba Wetland Management Project, was allegedly erected around a wetland, restricting access to water traditionally used by residents of Nkonjane. Community members claim that the project has resulted in the destruction of crops and property belonging to kaGasa residents.

According to kaGasa acting Umnumzane Mafonto Msibi, the violence erupted after a group of men allegedly attacked several community members whom they accused of cutting down fencing erected around the wetland. The victims included Wandile Mthembu and Noah Ntshakala, who were reportedly also attacked on Saturday. Msibi confirmed that several residents had been assaulted following allegations of damage to the wetland fence.

The incident was particularly disturbing, with the elderly woman being beaten all over her body with a knobkerrie by the men before her son was forced to physically assault her. The woman was made to sleep on the ground facing down and was beaten like a child. Msibi described the incident as unprecedented in the community, saying residents were shocked by the alleged treatment of a defenceless elderly woman.

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) were called to the scene, and the victims were taken to Hlatikulu Government Hospital for medical attention. They were later treated and discharged. Three men, comprising Noah Ntshakala, Wandile Mthembu, and Malungisa Simelane, were reportedly taken in by the police for questioning.

The latest violence comes amid a legal battle in which the Msibi people of kaGasa are seeking to stop the implementation of a Liqoqo ruling that allegedly placed their area under kaLiba. The Msibi clan has approached the High Court to challenge the authority and legal effect of the decision. The Liqoqo ruling, delivered on August 19 and reduced to writing on September 24, has been contested by kaGasa residents.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Hlatsi police. However, she said no one was arrested, but the three men were only taken in for questioning. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between kaGasa and kaLiba over the land dispute, with residents on both sides affected by the violence and uncertainty.

Key points

• The incident was part of a larger conflict over a wetland project undertaken by a faction from kaLiba.
• The Msibi clan has approached the High Court to challenge the authority and legal effect of the Liqoqo ruling.
• The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between kaGasa and kaLiba over the land dispute.