MBABANE: King Mswati who fled the country on Monday evening amid protests in demand for democratic reforms has ordered the arrest of pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane.
This was confirmed by Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko when speaking to this Swaziland News on Tuesday morning, the attorney said police allegedly refused to arrest the MPs and he pleaded with the army to effect the order.
“It’s true, the King allegedly ordered the army to arrest the two MPs who are advocating for democracy.It is important to ensure their safety because it has never happened that a politician can be arrested by the army”,said the Human Rights Lawyer.
On Monday evening, the SABC exclusively reported that King Mswati allegedly fled the country amid violence in the country.
It has been disclosed that the army was deployed to control the situation at Matsapha on Monday evening a few minutes after the King fled using his private jet. The soldiers immediately started opening fire and the exact number of causalities could not be ascertained at the time of compiling this report, protests are expected to intensify on Tuesday night with protestors targeting King Mswati and Government properties.
On Monday evening, various shops and trucks were burnt at Matsapha and other areas as the pro-democracy protests manifest into chaos.
An efforts was made to contact King Mswati directly on his mobile phone for a comment after his Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini avoided questions several times, however, both numbers of the King not available on the network at the time of compiling this report and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Pro-democracy MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane