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Police turn Msunduza into a battlefield as residents defy Acting Prime Minister on protests ban.

Friday, 25th June, 2021

MBABANE: Police fired teargas and alleged live ammunitions as residents of Msunduza marched to deliver a petition to Mbabane East MP Harries 'Madze'  Bulunga.

This is part of the ongoing protests in various Tinkhundla Centres across the country in demand for democratic reforms, Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku had issued a decree on behalf of King Mswati banning all protests and delivery of petitions in the various Tinkhundla Centres, however, political leaders and pro-democracy MPs urged the Nation  to defy Masuku and exercise their Constitutional right to protest.

Reached for comments, Sakhile Aviwa Nxumalo, a senior member of the Swaziland Youth Congress(SWAYOCO) who was interviewed on the scene urged the youth and all citizens in the country not to surrender.

“Police arrived early in the morning and tried to disperse us making sure we don’t move from Msunduza Sports ground to the Inkhundla offices and then march to the Manicipality offices where we wanted to also deliver our petition. As we speak police are firing and there is a child who collapsed after inhaling a teargas. When the father of the child tried to rescue the child, police shot the him at the back. As we speak the are police firing”, he said.

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

On Saturday, residents of Siphofaneni, Ngwemphisi and other areas across the country are expected to deliver petitions to their MPs.

Speaking during a press conference, Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane urged the people of Siphofaneni to fight for their freedom adding that he would  be waiting for the people’s petition at the Inkhundla on Saturday.

Eswatini is facing growing calls for democratic reforms with the protests and delivery of petitions spreading to the rural areas.

Police turn Msunduza into a battlefield as residents defy Acting Prime Minister on protests ban.
Police turn Msunduza into a battlefield as residents defy Acting Prime Minister on protests ban.