MBABANE: Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane, the Siphofaneni Member of Parliament(MP) has called upon the church and all citizens in the country to join the growing calls for democratic reforms to establish a government for the people.

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 and the Prime Minister is appointed by King Mswati, an absolute Monarch.

Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, the powerful and influential MP said a Prime Minister must be elected by the people so that he or she could understand their needs and work towards improving their lives.

“If you are elected you will understand the pain and sufferings of the people, that’s why we are calling for an elected Prime Minister who will understand the needs of the people. Singatiteka tonkhe kodvwa sifuna Ndvunankhulu lo-elected, lelo angilisho ligcwale umlomo, that’s what we are pushing for inside the House(Meaning: We are talking about these issues, but the main one is that we want an elected Prime Minister that’s what we are pushing for inside the House). The elected PM is not only wanted by us but the entire Nation, we don’t need an appointed person anymore” ,he said.

The MP warned the police who tried to assassinate him on Friday by shooting his car not to attempt to silence him adding that he would never stop speaking for the people.

The press conference was attended by Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers' (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini and Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) among others.

Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza warned the National Commissioner of Police not to try and intimidate them or dictate how they should conduct their duties as MPs.

This comes after the National Commissioner warned the pro-democracy MPs and accused them of inciting public violence.

The MPs said they would continue speaking for the people saying they witnessed with their own eyes how police brutality against the citizens unfolded at Thabani Nkomonye’s memorial service .

On another note, Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi Simelane urged the church and all citizens to join the growing calls to democratize the country for a better life for all.