SUDF STATEMENT ON THE KING’S VIOLENCE TO THE PEOPLE OF SWAZILAND

The Swaziland United Democratic Front strongly condemns he blatant abuse of human rights, the killing of civilians, injuring of unarmed citizens and the continuous torture of activists calling for democracy has reached an alarming level. The arrest of the Pro- democracy MP’s by the names of Bacede Mabuza from Hosea, Mthandeni Dube from Ngwemphisi and the over 700 arrested particularly children with some even charged with the Terrorism Act affirms this. The incident of police throwing teargas canisters into busses full of passengers and further shooting at people trying to flee from the bus are highly repudiated even in any war grounds. Despite all the peaceful protest the country has been engaged into, the King’s Army and police continue to brutally assault and kill unarmed civilians robbing them their right to freedom of expression.

SUDF observed that the speech of the King Mswati 111 further angered our people. The King missed an opportunity to bring calm, unity and hope to the people, but his speech lacked wisdom, it was ill-timed, unnecessary, hopeless and lack direction of how the country should move out of this Crisis as he announced Swazi people as dagga smokers.

As Swaziland United Democratic Front, we also hold the King, his government and the leadership accountable for the pains and the deaths of the innocent protestors. SUDF also condemns the actions by the state of burning businesses of the arrested pro-democracy Member of Parliament Bacede Mabuza.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)

As Swaziland United Democratic Front, we are disappointed by your lack of response and actions in the ongoing Massacre in Swaziland by King Mswati 111. As a People’s front, we have questions as to why does SADC allow leaders to act illegally, irrationally and with total abuse of power to the degeneration of the whole society.

As Swaziland United Democratic Front, we hope this time SADC is serious and will hold the King accountable for the Murders.

Issued by:
Abigail Jele
SUDF Communications Officer Contact: +268 76902370

PDF here.