MBABANE: A decree issued by the then King Sobhuza in 1973 marked the beginning of dictatorship marred by persecution and killing of political activists, particularly members of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) and subsequently, the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) that was formed ten(10) years after the King’s Proclamation.
Dr Ambrose Zwane who was among the founders of the NNLC and fought for Independence from the British rule, became one of the first targets, Sobhuza would send security officers to harass and detain him without trial.
At some point, Dr Zwane was released from prison for serving the sixty(60) days detention without trail ‘sentence’ and on the very same day, while his family including children were celebrating and welcoming him home, security officers arrived again saying,King Sobhuza has signed and/or ordered his detention again.
Sibongile Mazibuko is the current President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC), she told this Swaziland News this week that, it’s true that NNLC members were subjected to torture while others were killed through alleged poisoning shortly after Independence.
“The founding member Dr Ambrose Zwane allegedly died of poisoning after consistent detention, he fled to Tanzania but unfortunately he was already sick.When he came back, he died immediately”, said the NNLC President.
After the death of King Sobhuza in 1982, PUDEMO was formed amid infighting within the royal family.
Young PUDEMO leaders emerged and this, include the likes of the late Mario Masuku, Mphandlana Shongwe, Zodwa Mkhonta and Boy Magagula among others, they amplified the calls for democracy but, some of them were subsequently arrested charged with high treason.
Dozens of PUDEMO members were later killed merely for demanding democracy and this include Sipho Jele, who was allegedly killed inside King Mswati’s prisons merely for wearing a t-shirt belonging to his political organization.
Jele was murdered after the King gave the late Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini a mandate to kill activists, this was during Sibaya National gathering where the King uttered his “Abekhanywe” Sibaya speech.
“I am here to announce a Prime Minister who will work and restore order in the country, nyalo sekufuneka umuntfu lotawbenta, nakutsiwa akekhame, ekhame. This person who will be appointed is not new, he has worked before and I am confident he is going to do the job properly”, said the King.
The ‘angry’ dictator uttered these sentiments after ‘surviving’ a bomb that exploded prematurely at the Lozitha Bridge next to the Palace.
The bomb was allegedly targeting the King who was to pass through on that night.
It is alleged that, the explosive was planted by alleged PUDEMO members Musa MJ Dlamini who was commanding the Underground Unit together with Amos Mbhedzi and Jack Govender.
Human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, a PUDEMO member was subsequently arrested for publicly expressing support to ‘MJ’, Govender and Mbhedzi a few days after the attempted bombings of the Bridge.
But what followed thereafter, was a vigorous crackdown on PUDEMO members, dozens were arrested, tortured or even killed while some fled to exile in South Africa.
Speaking to this publication, Penuel Malinga, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said, their members have been suffering at the hands of the regime for the past years since Independence.
“Our members have been facing persecution from the regime while others fled to exile. Emaswati have been suffering, languishing in poverty at the hands of this regime.So, to us as PUDEMO, this is fifty-five(55) years of poverty and oppression”, said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
It has been disclosed that, the Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU), the South African Communist Party(SACP) in collaboration with eSwatini pro-democracy groups, is organizing a boarder blockade at the Oshoek Border Gate, on the 6th September 2023 Independence Day.
Speaking to this Swaziland News on Saturday evening, Touch Ndlovu, the SACP Mpumalanga Provincial Deputy Secretary confirmed that, they were planning a border blockade at Oshoek with other stakeholders.
“It’s true that, we are planning a boarder blockade on the 6th September 2023, but we are yet to finalize. Today, we are holding a meeting and tomorrow, we will be holding another meeting, we will be happy, if you can be part of the last meeting so that we can brief you about the border blockade”, said the Mpumalanga SACP Provincial Deputy Secretary General.
But Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, when addressing journalists during a press conference this week said, the 55-55 King Birthday and Independence Day double celebration suggests that, the country has been developed economically.
“Our country has been experiencing development for the past 55years.The King has been able to lead this country with utmost integrity and wisdom and,we have managed to improve and witness development”, said the eSwatini Prime Minister.
But eSwatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned from participating in elections, while political activists and human human rights defenders are arrested, tortured and killed merely for, demanding democratic reforms.
In June 2021, the King unleashed his soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for, demanding democratic reforms while other activists were assassinated within the premises of their homes.
Lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the Chairperson of the pro-democracy Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF) was assassinated allegedly, by Mswati’s mercenaries, the brutal killing came after the King threatened those calling for democracy saying, his mercenaries will deal with them.
King Mswati.