MBABANE:King Mswati’s police has come-up with a new strategy,branding wanted and exiled political activists as criminals to avoid international condemnation and manipulate the International Criminal Police Organization(INTERPOL) for assistance in apprehending them.
The police alleged that,the political activists are now wanted for organized crimes,without mentioning the nature of the crimes in the notices.
Bheka Brian Magagula,a former Senior Correctional Services Officer who resigned to join the pro-democracy movement,has been listed among those wanted by the eSwatini police.
Others include Nhlanhla Mfanfikile Magongo,a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO),Phakamani Magagula, a former warder,Kenneth Ntokozo ‘Putin’ Vilakati,Nana Samson Sikhondze,Nimrod Simelane, Sonkhe Dube of the Swaziland Youth Congress(SWAYOCO),Vusi Innocent Nkambule,Mthunzi Mngometulu,Sifiso Mahlangu and Hloniphani Mayibongwe among others.
It is alleged that,the police were able to identify the names of the political activists through their alleged spy Mphumelelo Gina,a former Correctional Services officer who has been allegedly working with the State in an attempt to apprehend political activists.
But sources told this Swaziland News that,after consistent attempts to hunt the political activists in the neighboring South Africa, a strategy was then adopted to brand them as criminals,members of the public were urged to assist in apprehending them.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati,the Police Spokesperson declined to comment.
Eswatini is not democratic,political parties are banned from participating in elections while human rights defenders,independent journalists and political activists are arrested,tortured or killed for demanding democracy.
The listing of the political activists as wanted persons, comes on the Eve of the June 29 massacre commemoration on Saturday, dozens of innocent civilians were killed allegedly by Mswati’s police and soldiers,merely for demanding democratic reforms.
“But another reason they were listed as wanted is to discourage them from launching attacks as part of the June 29, 2021 massacre commemoration as members of the public were urged to call the police upon seeing them”, a source told this Swaziland News.
Eswatini police lists political activists “as wanted persons”, brands them as criminals to avoid international condemnation and manipulate INTERPOL for assistance.