SADC delegation to engage Mswati

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) organ on defence, politics and security co-operation, appointed special envoys to engage eSwatini King Mswati III on security and political developments in the landlocked nation.

This followed rising reports of escalation of repression and human rights abuses. Acting Presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale said Ramaphosa had expressed appreciation for King Mswati III’s availability to receive the SADC delegation comprising former minister Jeffrey Radebe, Deputy Minister of International Relations Candith Mashego-Dlamini; a representative of Botswana, which is the former chair of the organ; a representative of Namibia which is the incoming chair and Ramaphosa’s special adviser on international relations Maropene Ramokgopa.

“The special envoys will be accompanied by SADC executive secretary, Elias Magosi, senior officials of the SADC secretariat and senior officials of the South African government,” said Seale.

“The envoys are expected to travel to the kingdom this week.”

On Wednesday, in another day of ongoing pro-democracy protests in eSwatini, protesters suffered serious injuries when the police fired tear gas inside a bus that was transporting them to a protest in Mbabane.

According to online news outlet Swazi News, the forces of King Mswati III took to the capital to shoot unarmed protesters who were demanding democratic reforms. eSwatini has been on a knife’s edge since being rocked by a wave of unprecedented violent pro-democracy protests earlier this year.

Protesters are calling for an end to the rule of King Mswati III and for a democracy.