By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Alpheous Nxumalo,the Government Spokesperson has released a statement on behalf of the State,clarifying concerns raised by the Embassy of the United States(US) regarding the conviction and sentencing of pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthadeni Dube.

The MPs were arrested,convicted and subsequently sentenced by royal linked Judge Mumcy Dlamini merely for demanding democratic reforms, the order to arrest the MPs was allegedly issued by King Mswati,an absolute Monarch.

The US Embassy released a statement on Tuesday condemning the sentencing of the MPs.

“There has been widespread reporting that their detentions are arbitrary, based on groundless charges of murder and terrorism, and that they were targeted for bravely calling for political and human rights reforms in the country”, reads the statement in part, released by the United States Embassy.

But the eSwatini Government,through its Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said Mabuza and Dube were investigated, charged and subsequently sentenced fairly.

“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini takes this opportunity to respond to the statement issued by the Embassy of the United States of America in reaction to the conviction and sentencing of Mr. Mduduzi Mabuza and Mr. Mthandeni Dube. In exercise of their criminal investigation powers, the Royal Eswatini Police Service investigated the civil unrest of 28 June 2021 and the aftermath.Based upon the findings from the police investigations, Mabuza and Dube, besides many others,were charged with contravening the criminal law of Eswatini.Over the years,the accused have been tried in the High Court, convicted and sentenced in accordance with our law of criminal procedure”,reads the statement in part.

The Government Spokesperson further urged the Embassy of the United States not to cast aspersions on the independence of the Judiciary of eSwatini adding that,despite the conviction and sentencing,the MPs have a right to appeal.