Swaziland blast injures royal guards

An earlier blast damaged a court building in the capital

By Thulani Mthetwa in Mbabane

A powerful bomb has exploded in a tent housing security officers guarding the town of Macetjeni in the south of Swaziland, injuring six senior army officers and policemen.

Macatjeni has been the scene of controversy recently with a series of violent demonstrations over the ousting of local chiefs by King Mswati who replaced them with his elder brother, Prince Maguga, against the wishes of local people.

The bombing has sent waves of panic through both the police and armed forces who immediately mounted roadblocks throughout the country.

The security personnel had been stationed to provide protection for Prince Maguga, who is unpopular with local residents.

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The tent was torn to shreds as the policemen and soldiers ran helter-skelter following the loud explosion.

The army public relations officer, Khanya Dlamini, said security has been stepped up at Macetjeni following the explosion.

This is the fifth bomb, believed to be politically motivated, to explode over the last three years.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the previous explosions.