ESWATINI GOVERNMENT DEFENDS ELECTIONS AS SWALIMO AND PUDEMO LEADERS CRITICIZE SYSTEM

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has defended Eswatini’s elections and the Tinkhundla system of governance, questioning the intentions of individuals who participate in elections while openly opposing the government. His remarks were directed at Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane, President of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), during a live panel discussion hosted by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) last week.

“How can a government that is not free and democratic allow individuals to freely participate in elections with an intention of fighting the system from within?” Nxumalo asked during the discussion, which also featured Mlungisi Makhanya, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).

Simelane accused the government of orchestrating undemocratic elections, asserting that the system does not allow for genuine representation or the free expression of political will. “Actually, we don’t want these elections because they are not democratic. But, the people decided that they want to go to Parliament to continue with what was started by the three Members of Parliament (MPs) in demanding democracy,” said the SWALIMO leader.

Nxumalo countered by insisting that the elections and the Tinkhundla system are democratic, arguing that individuals openly opposing the government were allowed to participate freely. “The elections and the entire Tinkhundla system are democratic, and as a result, even those who declared that they want to fight government from within were allowed to freely participate,” he said.

The debate highlighted the deep divide in Eswatini’s political landscape, where the monarchy continues to dominate governance under the Tinkhundla system, and political parties are banned from formal participation. Pro-democracy leaders like Simelane and Makhanya argue that the system entrenches inequality and suppresses dissent, while the government maintains that it provides avenues for representation and stability.

The panel discussion comes amid growing calls for democratic reforms and transparency in Eswatini. Pro-democracy activists have repeatedly criticized the government for using elections to legitimize an undemocratic system while silencing opposition voices through repression and violence.

While the government insists on the legitimacy of the Tinkhundla system, opposition leaders remain steadfast in their demand for a fully democratic and participatory governance structure. The conversation during the panel underscores the broader struggle for reform in Eswatini, where the fight for democracy continues to be met with resistance from those in power.