By Nontsetselelo Nkambule

Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli uttered an outright lie about Roberto Mosquera’s situation and this was not a surprise considering Government’s long standing culture of violating fundamental human rights with impunity.

Government or Correctional Services authorities denied lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi access to his client Roberto Mosquera and soon thereafter, the very same Government claimed “Mosquera is fasting, when in fact he is on a hunger strike”.

This incident is not just about a simple miscommunication but speaks to a broader issue of Government’s non-commitment to accountability and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. 

The mere fact that, the Government would go to such great lengths to conceal the truth about Mosquera's condition suggests a deep-seated fear of scrutiny and a deliberate disregard for fundamental human rights.

The Government’s actions are particularly egregious given the context of Mosquera’s situation because as a deportee, he is already in a vulnerable position and, the Government’s denial of access to his lawyer and family members is a clear attempt to isolate him and silence his voice.

But this incident is not an isolated one, the eSwatini Government has a history of suppressing dissent and limiting transparency.

The denial of access to Mosquera’s lawyer and the misinformation about his condition are part of a larger pattern of behavior seeking to undermine basic human rights.