MBABANE: PUDEMO has condemned the decision by Mswati’s regime to place pro-democracy Member of Parliament(MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza on solitary confinement.
PUDEMO stands for the People’s United Democratic Movement, a political organization advocating for democracy in eSwatini.
In a public statement released by Wandile Dludlu, its Secretary General, PUDEMO described the latest developments in the politically motivated arrest of the pro-democracy MPs as a deliberate ill-treatment.
This comes after another incarcerated pro-democracy MP Mthandeni Dube was forcefully transferred from Sidvwashini to Matsapha Maximum Prison.
“PUDEMO has learnt with utter disgust of the ill-treatment of incarcerated Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. It has been brought to our attention that Mabuza has been placed in solitary confinement at the Matsapha Maximum Prison while Dube was a few days ago forcibly transferred from Sidvwashini to Matsapha Maxi- mum Prison. PUDEMO wishes to condemn these savagely cruel acts by King Mswati. This is barbarism and a reflection of the evil mentality Mswati\'s dungeon facilities continue to uphold against prisoners of conscience like the people\'s MPs.
Mswati’s prisons have always been well known to be inhumane, dilapidated and of horrific states. Undoubtedly, they have also been degenerating to the worst over the years as a result of neglect consequent on Mswati's greediness. The developments surrounding the ill-treatment of the MPs coupled with the well-known inhumane conditions of the prisons make us to be most worried about their health and safety”, read the statement released by the political organization.
Lomakhosini Phindile Dlamini, the Commissioner General of the Correctional Services had not responded to our questionnaire at the time of compiling this report.
The pro-democracy MPs were arrested as per an order allegedly issued by King Mswati. This was after they became critical,demanding democratic reforms on behalf of the people who elected them.
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