LOBAMBA: Honorable Timothy Myeni, the Nkilongo Member of Parliament(MP) wants answers regarding the arrest of pro-democracy MPs Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, MP Myeni through Speaker Petros Mavimbela questioned the Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Khumalo as to why the MPs were arrested for speaking in Parliament.
“Can the AG give us clarification regarding the arrest of the Members of Parliament, where is the legal immunity for MPs? Are we still safe to speak at Tinkhundla Centres and during funerals as Members of Parliament?”, the Nkilongo MP asked.
The MP further mentioned that it was disturbing to note that the people of Siphofaneni, Ngwemphisi and Hosea were not represented in Parliament just because their MPs were targeted for speaking in Parliament, MPs Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza were arrested on Sunday while MP ‘Magawugawu’ is wanted by the police on terrorism charges.
Responding to the MP, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo said MPs are immune to prosecution for what they discussed in Parliament but they might be arrested and charged for breaking the law outside Parliament.
Eswatini is in midst of political tension as citizens intensify calls for democratic reforms, King Mswati responded by banning delivery of petitions and subsequently unleashed soldiers and the police to kill dozens of civilians.
On Sunday, the MPs who have been leading calls for democracy in Parliament were arrested and charged with terrorism as the King intensify crackdown on protests and those leading calls for democratic reforms.
Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni