By Mduduzi Hlophe

HLUTHI: The elderly came in their numbers here at Hluthi to join a march to the Police Station demanding the release of the two pro-democracy Members of Parliament (MPs) in Mduduzi ‘Bacede’Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi who were arrested and charged for terrorism.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Amos Gumbi (71) said as the elderly they wanted development and service delivery which could only be achieved in a democracy.

“Our grants are too meagre and we are starving, we would like to at least earn E1800 per month so that we can be able to meet our daily needs. We also want meaningful development and service delivery. We believe this can only  be achieved in a democratic country that is why we are here to demand the release of the two pro-democracy MPs”, Gumbi said.

Norman Xaba, one of the organisers of  the march said it ended peacefully.

“It was a very peaceful march and we are happy that the elderly joined us. The elderly today joined us to send a message that they are tired of living in abject poverty with their unemployed children who are graduates. They are also demanding the release of MP Bacede who is their voice”, he said.

Residents from Hosea and Ngwempisi Constituencies marched to their nearest police stations on Friday in what was called ‘Operation Surrender’. This was to surrender themselves to the state police as part of the protests demanding the release of their MPs who were arrested for terrorism after calling for democratic reforms.