Two Eswatini MPs – who were at the forefront of pro-democracy protests that broke out last month – have told the BBC that they fear for their own lives.
Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube spoke to the Focus on Africa programme from a police cell in the capital, Mbabane, where they have been kept since their arrest over the weekend.
Mr Mabuza blamed King Mswati III for the troubles that sparked the protests which left at least 50 people dead, most reportedly shot by security services.
“The king is abusing the law, he’s just breaking everything… [he] doesn’t like it when challenged about the way he governs the country,” Mr Mabuza said.
Mr Dube said he feared that they may be “killed through poisoning”.
He added that among the reforms that pro-democracy supporters want is a directly elected prime minister, instead of one appointed by the king.
“We never tried to overthrow the king, we are just exercising our rights in calling for democratic reforms,” he added.
Mr Dube said he supported calls for the southern African regional body, Sadc, to be involved in resolving the political crisis.
Source: BBC
