By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: William Tsintsibala Dlamini, the National Commissioner of Police tried to protect King Mswati and the international image of the country by delaying to arrest pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs), however the King insisted that they must be thrown behind bars.

This is contained in an audio recording released by this Swaziland News on Monday where the Army Commander disclosed that the King questioned  as to why the MPs were not arrested despite that he had long ‘issued’ a warrant of arrest. 

MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested and charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008 merely for leading calls for democratic reforms in Parliament while Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane is wanted by the police.

Eswatini is a tiny Kingdom ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers, he appoints and controls Judges.

“The King is very angry that bo-Magawugawu are still not arrested yet he long ordered their arrest”, said the Army Commander who was recorded by Sergeant Cebile Shongwe.

Tengetile Khumalo, the Army Spokesperson said she had difficulty with accessing her WhatsApp messages and asked journalists of this publication to use text messages.Worth-noting is that text messages are easily traceable in a country like eSwatini that undermines press freedom.

National Commissioner of Police William Dlamini had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, insiders disclosed that the National Commissioner tried to delay the arrest hoping that the King will change his mind as the arrest would tarnish the image of the country but he insisted.

“I hope you gathered through your own investigation as I told you that the National Commissioner tried not to arrest the MPs, he was acting in the interest of both the King and the country but the King insisted” said the insider with the Police Executive Command.

Judicial sources revealed that after the arrest of the MPs Judge Mumcy Dlamini was ordered not to grant them bail, the Judge is married to Supreme Court Judge Prince Majahenkhaba Dlamini.

Emmanuel Ndlangamandla, the Executive Director of the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organizations(CANGO) said the revelations suggesting that the arrests of individuals who are leading calls for change are now decided at political level confirms the long standing allegation that the judiciary was not independent.

“This vindicates the Law Society that has been complaining that the Judiciary is not independent and such revelations suggesting that arrests of individuals calling for democracy are decided at political level confirmed that allegation,”said the CANGO Executive Director.