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APRIL 12 protest: Police packs SWAYOCO leaders in a van, expose them to COVID-19.

Monday, 12th April, 2021

MBABANE: Eswatini police allegedly packed leaders of the Swaziland Youth Congress(SWAYOCO) in a van thus exposing them to COVID-19 during a protest march in Mbabane.

This was during an annual protest by political activists against the 1973 decree that banned political parties from participating in elections, King Mswati is ruling eSwatini as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers as a result of that decree signed by his father, the late King Sobhuza.

This publication gathered that the youth political leaders were taken to Manzini Police Station for questioning, police normally use force against peaceful protesters.

Reached for comments, Mduduzi Ngcamphalala, the SWAYOCO Secretary General confirmed that the political activists were ‘loaded’ in a van much against COVID-19 regulations, however, he said he was still making calls trying to trace their whereabouts.

“It’s true, but we are trying to make calls and trace their whereabouts and confirm if they are still in Manzini” said the Secretary General.

A questionnaire was sent to Police Spokesperson Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, political parties are banned from participating in elections.

APRIL 12 protest: Police packs SWAYOCO leaders in a van, expose them to COVID-19.
Police packs SWAYOCO leaders in a van during a protest.