The Take Why Eswatini said yes to US deportees
Sep 24, 2025
In this discussion, Tebelis Lemboyisa, a journalist covering human rights in Eswatini, delves into the country's controversial decision to accept U.S. deportees. He highlights local opposition to the agreement, including a significant NGO lawsuit, and provides insight into the detention conditions faced by these individuals in Matsapa Prison. Tebelis also explains the political and financial incentives driving Eswatini's decision and the public's mixed reactions amidst a backdrop of limited democratic freedoms.
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Opaque Arrival Of Five Detainees
- Tebelis Lemboyisa described five men sent by the U.S. to Eswatini, initially presented as "dangerous" convicts with mugshots but no names released.
- He emphasized the U.S. framed them as a public example while details and identities remained opaque.
Seek Legal Restraint Through Courts
- NGOs are seeking court orders to stop further third-country deportees arriving until the case is decided.
- They ask the court to restrain the prime minister and government pending finalization.
Prison Conditions And Transfer
- Tebelis explained the four remaining men were held in Matsapa prison in solitary confinement and one was later released to Jamaica.
- He described Matsapa as a high-security facility in a developed industrial area of Eswatini.