MBABANE: Phila Fakudze, the leader of the newly formed political group known as the 'New Parliament' was allegedly suffocated with impunity during an interrogation, police told him they will kill and then shot him in the back, Police Spokesperson will then tell the Nation that he was trying to escape.
Speaking to this Swaziland News, Fakudze said the police arrested him on 24th December 2020 together with Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC), during a protest action, they were taken to Sigodvweni Police Station , however, the latter was released and Fakudze was tortured the whole night and later taken back to Manzini police station for further torturing.
"While suffocating me, one of the police officers told me to pray and tell my God that I'm coming, he said we can kill you and then said you were trying to escape" said the political activist.
Members of the 'New Parliament' a political group include truck drivers who resolved to come together and influence democratic reforms after realising that the oppressive current political system forced them to migrate to South Africa where they risked being killed through xenophobic attacks. Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom ruled by King Mswati has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, political parties are banned from contesting elections.
Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson recently told the media that anyone with a complaint should report to the police station, however Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, a human rights lawyer told this publication earlier that in the absence of an Independent Police Complaints Commission, will will continue to die at the hands of the police.
Manzini Police Station