Eswatini protests for democratic reforms grind country to halt

By Phathizwe Zulu

MBABANE, Eswatini (AA) - Pro-democracy groups intensified nationwide protests Tuesday seeking an end King Mswati III autocratic rule in Eswatini, according to civic organizations.

Reports of kidnappings, beatings and torture of protesters by army personnel at barracks were reported in various parts of the country.

Gunshots were heard as security agents were involved in cat and mouse chase with protesters and they injured dozens of activists in Mbabane, according to the President of Swaziland’s National Association of Teachers, Mbongwa Dlamini.

The two main cities of Mbabane and Manzini, along with other towns, ground to a halt as residents stayed at home.

Public transport was not available, inconveniencing hundreds of thousands. The fear of possible looting and burning businesses witnessed last year forced the business sector to choose safety rather than taking risks.

Furniture shop salesman Elias Matsenjwa returned home to Manzini after spending two hours waiting for transportation to take him to town.

“There was no public transport since morning,” he told Anadolu Agency. “I received a call from my manager informing to return home for security reasons. She said as management they are not sure what might happen. Even herself was scared to go outside of her home.”

The transport authority said there will be no service Wednesday.

Public schools were closed and examinations were postponed. Some main roads were blocked with burning tires in various parts of the country. A shop was torched in the Matsapha Industrial Site. Unconfirmed reports circulated that shots were fired at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence and a soldier identified as Sanele Mavimbela was injured and rushed to a hospital.

The king was reported to be at the Lozitha Palace when the shooting occurred. Director of Communications at the King’s Office, Percy Simelane told Anadolu Agency that he was not aware of the incident.

“I am not aware of the incident in question. Kindly take it up with the Police and Army Public Relations Officers. We don't handle crime,” he said.

Three MPs, Mduduzi Mabuza, Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Simelane were accused by the king of inciting residents to unrest in June 2021.

An arrest warrant was issued for Mabuza and Dube the following month. Simelane managed to flee the country and is exiled in Canada.

Civic groups unanimously vowed to stage a total shutdown three weeks ago to force Mswati to institute democratic reforms.

The king is also accused of tightening his grip on the judiciary which forced the High Court to deny bail to the three MPs.

The Swazi monarch last month was accused of issuing an order to assault the MPs at night inside a Correctional Service facility.

The army assumed a policing role, mounting military roadblocks on public roads at night and conducting home raids in recent weeks as vigilante operations gained momentum, ambushing and killing security agents.

The anger of pro-democracy activists follows the murder of more than 100 citizens by security agents during the June 2021 unrest.
Peace and stability seem elusive in the tiny southern African kingdom, as waves of protests to dismantle the monarch increase daily, mounting pressure on the king to democratize the kingdom.