FURY AFTER MPS BACEDE, MTHANDENI ARREST

MANZINI - Some social media users yesterday reacted with fury to the news of the arrest of legislators who have been vocal regarding political reforms in the country.

This was after news spread that Hosea Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and his colleague Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube had been arrested by the police. Many social media users, especially on Facebook, expressed their fury and wondered if government was ready for level two of chaos in the country. Worth noting is that following the banning of the delivery of petitions with immediate effect by government late last month, the country experienced a political unrest which claimed the lives of many people and resulted in the vandalism, looting and torching of some properties. During the mayhem, government claimed that the damages suffered were worth E3 billion with 5 000 job losses.

Burning

Some of the Facebook users insinuated that government should be prepared as looting and the burning of tyres would ensue from today. Others questioned if the country was ready for ‘chaos level 2’, while some said all legislators must rise and join the struggle, especially those who received the petitions. The users also noted that in Eswatini it was supposedly a crime to express what bothered the citizens. Meanwhile, as he boarded a white police van during his arrest yesterday evening, the the Hosea Constituency MP uttered these words; “Fear not, as this is what we expected when we started seeking freedom for the people.” Mabuza said people should not be shocked by what was happening as such incidents were bound to happen when change was about to be attained. He said this was part of what he expected when he took the oath upon being elected into public office. The legislator said by taking the oath into public office, he opted to speak for the citizenry at all times.

Shocked

Mabuza said: “EmaSwati should not be shocked by this as when I started to engage on change, I spoke about the pursuit of freedom knowing that such would be the end result. This is part of the journey for the citizenry to be free and be able to engage in all issues without fear. Those who can pray should do so as this is a pursuit we shall not deviate from.” A contingent of about 13 police officers, who were not in uniform, was found within the yard of the politician at one of his residences in Ngwane Park, Manzini. Mabuza boarded the police van that chauffeured him to the Mbabane Old Police Station at about 5:38pm. This was despite that police officers were said to have arrived at his residence at about 3:20pm. When this publication’s reporter arrived at his residence, Mabuza was found seated in his car – a black Porsche Cayenne GTS – which was idling. The legislator said upon arrival at his compound, at around 3:15pm, a white Toyota Land Cruiser and a white Toyota single cab blocked the gate of his compound. Subsequent to that, he said a police officer approached him and served him with two warrants of arrests. Thereafter, Mabuza said after consulting, he was advised not to descend from his vehicle until he had completed consulting.

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