By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza,the convicted eSwatini pro-democracy Member of Parliament(MP), has maintained his call for a democratic government outside the control of dictator King Mswati.

Eswatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned from participating in elections while human rights defenders are arrested,tortured or killed for demanding democracy.

In a statement of mitigation,the MP who was in court on Wednesday, facing up to twenty(20) years in prison after being convicted on politically motivated terrorism charges,accused King Mswati,an absolute Monarch of yielding power over Parliament.

The vibrant MP said his only crime was to have a different political view,calling for democratic reforms while representing the people who elected him adding that,his decision to call for reforms was triggered by the poverty situation in the country.He said even though he was privileged to live a better life as a businessman,he decided to stand with the oppressed people.

“I still believe that Members of Parliament must be fully elected by the people and not appointed by His Majesty the King.Those remain my political views that no one can change, even if you try to convince me otherwise. While in jail, I have tried to look at what wrong I might have done. I have never found the reason because I think that the only “crime” I have commited in my life was to have different views in the political  system of this country.

Let me tell the truth.Today I am not ashamed for standing for the truth. It is painful because my people are suffering, my children are suffering and my family are suffering because of this belief. I have been in jail for three years of my life without having commited a crime.I have only called for political reforms and the amendment of the Constitution whereby our government should be independent from the royal family”,said the convicted MP.

Wandile Dludlu,the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO), Swaziland Youth Congress(SWAYOCO) President Sakhile Awviva Nxumalo and other political activists were present in court to demonstrate support for the MP who was convicted together with MP Mthandeni Dube.