The infamous 1973 Decree King’s Proclamation did not only ban political parties in this country but, it empowered the police and other State security agencies to undermine fundamental human rights including, the rights to freedom of movement and assembly.
Indeed, after banning political parties,King Sobhuza established the army in 1973 and emaSwati who were found in groups of three(3) were heavily assaulted, the rights to freedom of association and assembly were violated under a culture of impunity.
In the early hours on Sunday, leaders of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) were blocked by State police from attending the funeral of Madeli Fakudze, a brother to the late deposed Chief Mliba Fakudze of Macetjeni.
Worth-noting, a brother to Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini from the Royal House of Prince Mbilini waked me up early in the morning, saying “nawa emaphoyisa ahlukubeta PUDEMO lana ye-Dlamini asewuhlole bangaze babalimate”.
This should tell the police that PUDEMO is everywhere, a royal family member who is against the injustice decided to report to this publication after witnessing the harassment along the road.
There are over one thousand(1000) Dlamini’s under Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s Royal House of Prince Mbilini and the police must not even try to guess who “informed this publication” about this.
Chief Mliba Fakudze and Madeli Fakudze were persecuted by King Mswati and his brother Prince Maguga, Mliba was removed as the Chief of Macetjeni after Maguga demanded to be appointed as a Chief as a compensation after being disqualified from taking over the Throne, he was “Liphosakubekwa”.
PUDEMO has been in solidarity with Chief Mliba Fakudze for over twenty(20) years but on Sunday this week, the police stopped Deputy President Wandile Dludlu, Secretary General Penuel Malinga and others from attending the funeral of the Chief’s brother.
This was a violation of the right to freedom of movement not to mention the right to freedom of assembly and this, was done by the Tinkhundla regime that claims to be democratic while blocking other emaSwati from attending funerals of their relatives and friends merely for, holding different political views.
Despite the existence of a Constitution that guarantees fundamental human rights, the police are enforcing the provisions of the 1973 Decree that elevated King Sobhuza into an absolute Monarch, those powers were subsequently inherited by King Mswati.
It is clear now that, the Constitution is just a useless piece of paper in this country, this is an absolute Monarchy ruled through the 1973 Decree.
The late Chief Mliba Fakudze.