Trials of Democracy in Eswatini

“These MPs were never advocates of violence. They were speaking inside the chambers of parliament. They have never joined any mass action on the streets” – Thantaza Silolo, Swaziland Liberation Movement Eswatini’s former Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested following the anti-monarchy riots that claimed dozens of lives back in 2021. Mabuza is currently serving 25 years while Mthandeni Dube was given 18 years. They are now appealing their sentences. But human rights groups and pro-democracy activists say the pair were “silenced” for calling on King Mswati to introduce reforms. This has been denied by the government of Eswatini. Over the years, the southern African country has been marred by political dissent, with sections of the population calling for democracy. Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Alpheous Nxumalo, Eswatini government spokesperson and Thantaza Silolo of the Swaziland Liberation Movement