swaziland times

MANZINI – The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), Dr Andile Metfulla, has reportedly received death threats.

The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been in office for less than a month, having been appointed to the position on August 1, 2024, after the contract of former RSTP CEO Vumile Dlamini was not renewed. According to sources, there were concerns about his safety after he was appointed as the acting CEO of RSTP based on some developments that allegedly took place regarding his promotion and other work-related issues. Therefore, sources said they took preventive security measures, which mainly included assigning a security officer stationed at RSTP as his driver. He said that late in the afternoon of Thursday, August 15, 2024, the security guard allegedly received a call from an unknown number and left a threatening message.

Target

According to the source, the caller posed a question to the security official: “Uyati yini kutsi inyoni nayidutjulwa ishaywa neligala layo (Did you know that people who are close to the target usually also get what is meant for the main target).”The source said the security officer reported the matter to the acting CEO the next morning. He said the security officer also stressed that when he analysed the anonymous caller’s statement, the main target was Dr Metfullah and he (the security officer) was the one who could have gotten the RSTP boss’ money. Sources said upon receiving the information, the Acting CEO reported the threat to the office of the Commander of the Matsapa Police Station.

He added that security officials also went to the Matsapa police station to formally report the matter and record a statement. Meanwhile, Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said that they have not recorded the matter so far. However, the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Chief Secretary Phesheya Dube confirmed the matter. He said the ministry was aware of disturbing death threats against Dr Metfula and security personnel. He said the threats were of serious concern and would be taken seriously by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said the safety of personnel was of paramount importance.

He therefore said the ministry was committed to ensuring that Dr Metfullah, as well as all other officials, were protected from any harm. “We have worked with the relevant security services to take the necessary security measures to protect the safety of Dr. Metfula, RSTP and its support staff from any potential threats,” the PS said. The ministry called on the public to respect the work of officers and allow them to continue to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or violence. He added that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and will take all necessary additional measures to ensure the safety of Dr Metfullah and his staff.Furthermore, he said that on behalf of the ministry, he called on anyone who may have information that could assist in investigating these threats to report it to law enforcement agencies.
He said the ministry always believed in upholding the rule of law.