MBABANE: The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs will be expected to influence Judges and Magistrates to deny political activists who will be arrested for disrupting Tinkhundla's undemocratic elections bail.
This was discussed during a secret high-level State Intelligence meeting held on the 06 April 2023 around 2pm at the Matsapha Police College.
The meeting further resolved that the office of the Police Spokesperson Phindile Vilakati,will be in charge of controlling information and imposing media restrictions on certain operations to be conducted by the police in areas such as Siphofaneni, Logoba, Mbabane, and Msunduza, among others.
"Libandla from Ludzidzini to meet with briefing(sic) on how to handle private matters relating to Sigodlo.Siphofaneni operations to intensify, Matsapha,Logoba, Mbabane, and Msunduza arrests must be made without fail.Department of Justice to assist in issues of bail and fines till elections are over," reads part of the State intelligence information in our possession.
A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the police spokesperson; however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments,Penuel Malinga, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO),said King Mswati’s regime has used all political tricks and intimidation, but the calls for democracy are intensifying.
“We are not intimidated even by this plot to deny political activists bail if they disrupt elections.They have tried everything, including passing terrorism laws, but the calls for democracy are gaining momentum," said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
King Mswati.