By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People's United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) has declared that pro-democracy forces have taken over eSwatini and as a result, Mswati’s government cannot decide to call-off protests including those by public transport employees.

Speaking to this Swaziland News in an exclusive interview, the PUDEMO President advised members of the public not to be clouded by reports from the State controlled media suggesting that public transport employees would be back to work on Monday saying no decision in that regard has been taken by democratic forces.

“As democratic forces we have taken over eSwatini and we will decide what will happen in the country including the activities that form part of mass protests this week. We want to advise our people and those few who still listen to SBIS, read Times and Observer not to be misled by these State controlled media, official announcements will be communicated through the Swaziland News, being the credible media platform that disseminates information on such issues. We are preparing for a mass protest on Wednesday and would like to urge school children to wear their uniform and protest within their schools across the country. Furthermore, the protest by public transport employees continues and will also announce our programme of action for this week. We want the arrested MPs to be released including the children held by Mswati and Indlovukazi for ritual purposes. We also want civil servants to be awarded a salary increment”,said the PUDEMO President.

Last week, Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) said as young people, they would continue rendering eSwatini ungovernable until democracy was achieved.

On other note, King Mswati who rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch said he would never negotiate with pro-democracy forces labeling them as drunkards and dagga smokers.

Mswati, a multi-billionaire who rules the country with about 70% of the population living below the poverty line allegedly unleashed soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of protesting civilians.