By Wendy Magagula

MBABANE: The South African Government has urged political actors and the civil society in the Kingdom of Eswatini to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to resolve the current political challenges.

This comes in the midst of pro-democracy protests in this tiny Kingdom with citizens demanding that King Mswati surrenders power to the people, the King responded by unleashing soldiers and the police to shot and kill civilians.

In a public statement, Clayson Monyela, the Spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the South African Government notes with great concern the ongoing political and security situation in the country.

"The South African government notes with great concern the ongoing political and security situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini. We are particularly concerned by reports of loss of life and destruction of properties.The right to peaceful protest is universally recognized. The South African Government calls on the security forces to exercise total restraint and protect the lives and property of the people, in keeping with the country’s constitutional provisions and laws. In addition, South Africa urges all political actors and civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to resolve the current political challenges facing the country" read the statement in part.