By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: Dozens of protestors were injured after King Mswati unleashed his police officers to shoot and assault civilians on Wednesday.

The protestors had gathered in Mbabane to support their incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs)Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

This comes after the King arrested the pro-democracy MPs merely for demanding democratic reforms. 

It has been disclosed that among those who were assaulted are Member of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) and the Swaziland Democratic Party.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Mbongseni Shabangu, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Party(SWADEPA) confirmed that the protestors were assaulted, kidnapped and forced into an Operational Support Services Unit(OSSU) truck and dumped at Mvutshini.

“The protestors were heavily assaulted, kidnapped and forced into an OSSU truck and dumped at Mvutshini.Their cellphones were grabbed and destroyed,” said the SWADEPA Secretary General.

Phindile Vilakati, the eSwatini police Spokesperson had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments, PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya said among those who were assaulted were members of PUDEMO adding that they were making arrangements to rush them to hospital.

“As we speak we are rushing them to hospital,” said the PUDEMO President.

King Mswati allegedly made a commitment to the Southern Africa Development Community(SADC) Troika to engage in a political dialogue with those calling for democratic reforms, however, he subsequently unleashed his security forces to shoot more civilians.

On Tuesday, this publication exposed State intelligence documents including an operation order revealing strategies to be used by the police when dispersing the protestors, in eSwatini citizens risk being killed merely for protesting.