MBABANE:Mandla Hlatswako,the highly respected and founding member of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), says buildings and properties are normally destroyed by protesting citizens in some countries, but those civilians are not labeled terrorists.
Speaking during the Swaziland News current affairs program on Tuesday, Hlatswako said that as the situation stands, the solution is to discuss the issue that resulted in the damage to properties.
“We must not be afraid to mention that this country does not belong to the King but is collectively owned by Swazis.
Therefore, every Swazi deserves a better life, and if the Monarchy uses guns, then people are within their rights to stand up and use all possible means if need be, because we have one country. We normally see protests in many countries, people destroying government buildings, those people are not branded terrorists, nangabe kunendzaba kutekwa lendzaba. In this country, let us stop hiding under the leaf of terrorism because it is clear that the terrorist is the government.Otherwise, if we fail to solve that, we will continue to be misled, and innocent people will be killed in the name of terrorism," said the Letfu Sonkhe Chairman.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
King Mswati allegedly directed state agents to assassinate human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, shortly after threatening those calling for democracy that his mercenaries would deal with them.
Mandla Hlatswako, a highly regarded political activist, is expected to face current PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya during the political organization’s elections.
PUDEMO’s Mandla Hlatswako during justice for Thulani Maseko protest.