Questions Raised Online After US Government Personnel Accidentally Shot by Eswatini Soldiers
- Two US government personnel were accidentally shot by Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force soldiers
- Both the Eswatini government and the US State Department confirmed the two personnel sustained injuries
- Social media users weighed in on the incident, with many raising questions about the circumstances
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
ESWATINI — Questions have been raised online after two United States government personnel were accidentally shot by Eswatini soldiers during an anti-smuggling operation.
The incident happened in the Lubombo Region late on Friday, 11 September 2026, authorities from both countries have confirmed.
The incident took place at roughly 10 pm in Maphiveni, a rural village near Eswatini's northeastern border. Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli confirmed that members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) opened fire on the US personnel, who sustained minor injuries and are safe.
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What happened at the Maphiveni Checkpoint?
According to details that have since emerged, the shooting stemmed from a case of mistaken identity. The UEDF had set up a temporary roadblock as part of an active anti-smuggling operation in the area. When a vehicle carrying the US personnel approached the checkpoint, and the driver executed a U-turn before the roadblock, soldiers concluded that the occupants were smugglers attempting to evade detection and opened fire.
Neither the Eswatini government nor US authorities have publicly identified the two Americans or clarified the nature of their presence in the area at that hour.
Diplomatic channels activated
In an official statement released on 14 September 2026, the Eswatini government said the matter was being treated "with the seriousness it warrants" and that the UEDF had launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The statement further committed to ongoing engagement with Washington through diplomatic channels.
The US State Department confirmed it was aware of the incident and that the affected personnel were safe, adding that US authorities were co-operating with the Eswatini government as the investigation proceeds.
The shooting has drawn significant public interest, with many observers questioning what brought US government personnel to a remote rural area during a military operation in the middle of the night.
How did social media users react?
Social media users have raised similar questions, with some suggesting the circumstances remain puzzling.
Afumbom Baechi Linus said:
"It means they were the smugglers."
Tita Raphael added:
"Another wahala don start. What were they doing there in the first place?"
Thembela Mrich Ngcamphalala stated:
"If it looked like smuggling, probably, it was smuggling."
Thabo Sithole asked:
"What were they doing there? As a South African, I support the Swazi Law Enforcement on this matter."
Aubrey Johnston said:
"A puzzle of note. The US knew about the military roadblock in the area. Why the U-turn at 10 pm? What diplomatic mission occurs in the witching hours?"
Sine Afrikan questioned:
"What was the US doing there?"
Eswatini accepts 11 more violent criminals from the US
Briefly News reported that the Kingdom of Eswatini announced that it would accept more convicted criminals from the US in October 2025.
The acting spokesperson for the government stated that the immigrants pose no security threat to the nation or neighbouring countries,
South Africans expressed doubts online, with many questioning King Mswati III's decision to receive more criminals.
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Source: Briefly News
