MBABANE: Mthandeni Dube, the Ngwempisi Member of Parliament(MP) came hard on Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku for politicizing COVID-19 regulations in protests against injustice when he failed to do so during the Incwala ritual ceremony.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, the MP warned the Acting Prime Minister not to assume that the citizens were fools that they cannot see that his statement yesterday was meant to ban the ongoing protests adding that people were to be allowed to protest and voice their grievances against this government.

“Recently, Incwala was hosted and at that time the cases were very high and the Acting Prime Minister failed to stop it. As we speak, Emazinyane bo-Majaha(King’s children) are hosting parties drinking alcohol with over 500 people, and the Acting PM is not enforcing regulations on them, phela asisito tilima(we are not fools). Where was the acting Prime Minister when Temaswati was introducing her boyfriend to royalty in an event where participants were not wearing masks?. We have seen protests in other countries like America in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a government, you don’t ban the protest but you address the issues that resulted to the protest so that the people can calm down” ,said the MP.

As exclusively reported by this Swaziland News on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister subsequently held a press conference on Wednesday ordering the police to disperse gatherings that undermined COVID-19 regulations ahead of the justice for Thabani protest on Friday.

“The current COVID-19 regulations are very clear on the issue of large gatherings and as such we have asked the police to be vigilant and ensure there are no gatherings that will breach these regulations and expose emaSwati to the dangers of this uncompromising virus,"said the Acting Prime Minister.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Thursday, Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) said the youth must not listen to the Acting Primr Minister or anyone representing the King’s Government adding that the protest will continue as planned on Friday.