Gift Mandlenkhosi Dlamini, the Deputy Secretary General of the Swaziland Liberation Movement(SWALIMO made a very controversial statement at the SNAT Centre last week.
The SWALIMO Deputy Secretary General said all pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs)must go to Matsapha Prison and ask to be locked-up with MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube to prove that they were indeed pro-democratic.
Dlamini challenged the likes of Manzini North Member of Parliament MP Macford Sibandze,Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni among others, to surrender themselves to the law enforcement agency and be arrested,he said he was tired of the MPs who claimed to be pro-democratic yet they were mocking the people.
As a journalist who was, and continue to be hands-on in reporting about both public and underground activities of the struggle, it is important to set the record straight and defend the pro-democracy MPs whose efforts in the struggle and or liberating the people were undermined by Dlamini’s controversial statements.
Firstly,let me bring to the attention of Dlamini that there were about ten(10) MPs who were pushing the struggle for democracy inside Parliament prior to the political unrest,some of them were working behind the scenes, planning strategies and playing an advisory role to other MPs like Bacede Mabuza.
MP Macford Sibandze might not be active in openly calling for democratic reforms but he remains a very important player in the struggle.
MP Sibandze is,in fact, one of the few MPs that support the women movement that advocates for the rights of women and children, this is another powerful wing of the Mass Democratic Movement(MDM),that requires huge political support as we fight for liberating this this country.
MP Timothy Myeni,like Bacede Mabuza, is one of few MPs who risked their wealth and decided to stand with the people,as you read this article, State institutions including the Swaziland Revenue Authority(SRA) are after him,he is being persecuted.
Marwick Khumalo,the Lobamba Lomdzala MP who happens to be a member of Sive Siyinqaba National Movement has been persecuted by the regime long before the political unrest for standing with the people, his home was recently petrol bombed.
Before his arrest, MP Bacede Mabuza called me several times, saying “I am going to meet Marwick Khumalo for advice, there’s a motion I want to raise in Parliament so I want him to advise me”.
I cannot reveal whether MP Khumalo played a role or not in pushing the struggle inside Parliament but what I know is, he has been standing with the people.
Even though Gift Dlamini might not be aware the power of MP Marwick Khumalo,Mswati himself and his Intelligence Unit know him very well hence he was attacked.
Now, it is very disturbing to note that political leaders like Gift Dlamini want to push a narrative suggesting that only three(3)MPs are pro-democratic.
Dlamini and his political gang must enjoy that false narrative for now but before democratic elections, all political players will given a platform in the independent media,political toddlers would be exposed.
We expect political leaders not to undermine these MPs and other leaders who worked and continue to work tirelessly in liberating the people.
Even now,there are dedicated MPs, political leaders and other Swazis who are strategizing to liberate the people both publicly and through underground operations.
But political leaders like Gift will come to the public gallery and play politics saying pro-democracy MPs must be arrested to prove that indeed, they are pro-democratic,no wonder fake Facebook accounts are calling for the arrest of other political leaders,it is now clear where this is coming.
Gift Dlamini must know that the struggle is a huge network both locally and internationally,he must wait until King Mswati unban political parties and release the incarcerated MPs, thereafter,he will see powerful leaders both within Mswati’s regime and the Mass Democratic Movement(MDM) emerging to contest for power.
As an independent journalist,I will never allow opportunistic leaders to undermine other leaders particularly MPs as if they have done nothing in an effort to liberate the people.
As mentioned, Gift Mandlenkosi Dlamini must wait until Mswati release the incarcerated MPs and unban political parties,thereafter, he will know the true definition of politics.
As the independent media, we are yet to reveal other leaders both within the pro-democracy movement the Tinkhundla system so that the public can choose among many leaders, Gift Dlamini must enjoy the public space for now, however the political temperatures will rise towards democratic elections.
These MPs who were mocked by SWALIMO’s Gift Dlamini were elected by the people and they continue to represent the will of the people in various sectors of the struggle,some of them are pro-democratic.
That’s these pro-democracy MPs did not post on Facebook what they did to intensify the struggle for democracy does not mean they are not pro-democratic.
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