MBABANE: A State Police Intelligence highly confidential draft report leaked to this Swaziland News reveals plans to conduct a vigorous operation and/or crackdown on pro-democracy activists between the 14th -24th April 2026 ahead of King Mswati’s forty (40) years on the Throne and birthday double celebration.
It has been disclosed that, the Kingdom’s security forces are on high alert, guarding against any possible attempt by pro-democracy groups to disrupt the event, Eswatini is an absolute Monarchy, political parties are banned and the draft report “suggests the raiding of homes belonging to political activists.
The main event will also mark the official opening of the multibillion Ezulwini International Convention Centre (ICC) and Five Star Hotel as recently confirmed by the King when delivering his Speech from the Throne.
But the State draft intelligence report has not yet reached the final stage where the Executive Command will “adopt it and then compile what is known as the Operation Order”.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Eswatini Police Spokesperson, declined to comment about the draft report.
But Brian Sangweni, the Spokesperson of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) expressed serious concerns regarding the alleged plans by the security authorities to crackdown on pro-democracy activists.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that Swaziland’s security authorities are planning nationwide raids targeting progressives ahead of King Mswati’s 40th Anniversary on the Throne. Such actions reflect a misplaced paranoia by the King and his Government. Raids and repression will not resolve the governance crisis that Tinkhundla system and the leadership of King Mswati is. With this kind of paranoia, one wonders if the King is even able to sleep at night. The only thing that can save him from this chronic scare is to choose the right path; stop opposing the people’s will and allow for a democratic Government,” said the PUDEMO Spokesperson.
King Mswati during his previous birthday celebration.