MBABANE: Mswati’s police were deployed in strategic places next to the Mbabane High Court on Thursday where members of the various political parties were protesting demanding the release of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.
The MPs appeared before royalty linked Judge Mumcy Dlamini for the continuation of their politically motivated trial, they were charged with terrorism and for contravening COVID-19 Regulations among others after demanding democratic reforms.
Addressing the hundreds of the MPs' supporters, Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) thanked the protestors for remaining calm even after being provoked by the police.
“We thank you comrades for remaining calm and continue with your peaceful protest even after being provoked by the police”, said the PUDEMO President.
Police Spokesperson Phindile Vilakati had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini is in the midst of a political crisis after King Mswati banned the delivery of petitions and subsequently unleashed soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians. The King later ordered the arrest of the pro-democracy MPs who are critical of his government.
The Human Rights Commission released a preliminary report suggesting that forty-six(46) people were killed during the unrest. But leaders of political parties and the civil society alleged they have evidence substantiating that over one hundred(100) people were killed with over seventy(70) already identified.
Mswati’s police next to High Court of eSwatini were supporters of pro-democracy MPs were protesting.