By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: The Foundation for Social and Economic Justice(FSEJ) and the World Alliance for Citizen Participation(CIVICUS), demand the release of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) ahead of the Eswatini’s 55th Independence Day on 6th September 2023.

In a statement sent to this Swaziland News this week,by the global civil society organization, Mandeep Tiwana, the CIVICUS Chief Programmes Officer urged the eSwatini authorities to release Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube without delay adding that, they were wrongfully arrested.

“As Eswatini celebrates the anniversary of its freedom from colonial rule, the authorities must free jailed activists Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube without delay,” CIVICUS Chief Programmes Officer. 

The CIVICUS Programmes noted that Mabuza and Dube face up to twenty(20) years imprisonment after a flawed conviction on trumped-up charges. 

CIVICUS and FSEJ recognise both the two MPs as part of the Stand As My Witness campaign, which advocates for the release of jailed activists and human rights defenders worldwide.

Thabo Masuku, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Social and Economic Justice said, it was worrying to note that, the Eswatini Government continues silence activists and human rights defenders through the use of the judicial system.

“It is extremely worrying that the Eswatini government continues to silence activists and human rights defenders through the use of the judicial system,” said FSEJ Executive Director Thabo Masuku. “The judiciary should independently uphold the values of justice and equity—not harass and intimidate pro-democracy activists like Mabuza and Dube,” he said.