MANZINI: King Mswati’s police officers opened fire against peaceful protestors who were marching in the streets of Manzini on Thursday, demanding a political dialogue as a solution to the ongoing tensions within this tiny Kingdom.
The protest that was organized by the Swaziland United Democratic Front(SUDF) came at the time when Mswati’s Government banned protests, police and soldiers are deployed to shoot protesting civilians.
As a result, dozens have been killed since the political unrest started.
Speaking to this Swaziland News on Thursday shortly after the shooting of protestors, Lucky Dlamini, the Chairperson of the Swaziland United Democratic Front(SUDF) said the shooting of protestors merely for demanding a political dialogue was an indication that King Mswati was not prepared for a dialogue.
“The shooting of protestors today merely for demanding a political dialogue is an indication that the oppressor is not prepared to dialogue with the people. We understand that freedom does not come easily, we might die while demanding a political dialogue and we are prepared to fight to the end,” said the SUDF Chairperson.
A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini is in the midst of a political unrest,dozens have been killed by King Mswati’s forces merely for demanding democratic reforms.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that the Southern African Development Community(SADC) has appointed a Panel of Elders to try and find solutions to the ongoing crisis.
King Mswati’s police shot peaceful protestors in Manzini for demanding a political dialogue.