BUHLENI: King Mswati allegedly deployed his soldiers to block a community dialogue organized by the pro-democracy Multi-Stakeholders Forum(MSF) at Buhleni on Saturday.
Reached for comments,human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the MSF Chairperson confirmed that soldiers were deployed to stop the community dialogue.
“When we arrived at Buhleni, we found armed soldiers and we were told by the Police Station Commander that the authorities ordered that the community dialogue must be stopped. When we asked the police why the soldiers were deployed, we didn’t receive clear answers.This is a clear indication that this Government is not committed to participate in a political dialogue,” said the MSF Chairperson.
A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson,however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
King Mswati unleashed his soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians, the King subsequently refused to participate in a political dialogue.
The disruption of the MSF community dialogue at Buhleni by the army comes after Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo criticized Members of Parliament(MPs) for resolving to engage the pro-democracy movement to discuss possible ways of engaging in a dialogue.
MILITARY STATE: Mswati’s soldiers block pro-democracy Multi-Stakeholders Forum's community dialogue.