PUDEMO SAYS TORTURE OF NGCAMPHALALA SHOWS URGENT NEED FOR DEMOCRACY
Wandile Dludlu, the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), has condemned the alleged torture of former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Swaziland President Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, saying no Liswati should ever be subjected to such cruelty for expressing a political opinion against the Tinkhundla system and the King.
Dludlu said the reported abuse of Ngcamphalala is a clear example of how political repression operates in Eswatini, where citizens are punished not for crimes, but for speech. He stressed that freedom of expression should never be met with violence, humiliation, or torture.
Ngcamphalala allegedly insulted King Mswati III by calling him “Macwatsa” and went further to openly call for his removal from power. According to reports, this political expression triggered brutal retaliation by the state. He was allegedly assaulted by a group of police officers led by the late Deputy Commissioner Sam Mthembu until he lost control of his bodily functions. In what human rights defenders describe as extreme torture and dehumanisation, Ngcamphalala was then forced to consume his own faeces.
The torture allegations were exclusively reported by Swaziland News after obtaining information from the State Intelligence Unit. Following the reported torture, Ngcamphalala later pledged loyalty to the King, a move many activists believe was not voluntary but the result of severe psychological and physical abuse.
Responding to this publication on Sunday, Dludlu said that even though he was not present when the alleged torture took place, the seriousness of the claims cannot be ignored. He advised that if Ngcamphalala indeed went through such an experience, professional psychological support is essential.
“Any person who goes through such torture cannot be a normal person,” said Dludlu. “He or she normally develops post-traumatic disorder. So Ngcamphalala must seek professional counselling if he went through this alleged torture.”
Dludlu emphasised that torture is not just a violation of the body but an attack on the mind. He said the purpose of such acts is to destroy a person’s confidence, identity, and political will, leaving long-lasting trauma that affects how victims think, speak, and act long after the physical pain has ended.
The PUDEMO Deputy President said the Ngcamphalala case exposes the brutality of the Tinkhundla system, which he described as a political order that survives through fear rather than consent. He warned that when citizens are tortured for expressing opinions, the state loses all moral and legal legitimacy.
People’s United Democratic Movement has long argued that political repression, arbitrary arrests, and torture are systematic tools used to silence dissent. Dludlu said the continued harassment of emaSwati for holding political views only strengthens the argument for urgent democratic reforms.
“In a democratic society, citizens express political views and still be safe,” he said. “You can disagree with leaders, criticise government, and advocate change without fear of being assaulted, arrested, or humiliated. That is not the case in Eswatini.”
He added that as long as the country remains under absolute monarchy, such abuses will continue because there are no independent institutions to hold perpetrators accountable. Police officers accused of torture are protected, victims are silenced, and the truth is buried.
For many emaSwati, Ngcamphalala’s alleged ordeal is a painful reminder of the cost of speaking out. It highlights a system where loyalty is enforced through violence and where political survival often comes at the expense of personal dignity and mental health.
Dludlu concluded by saying that no apology, pledge of loyalty, or forced silence can erase the crime of torture. Until Eswatini embraces democracy and the rule of law, he warned, citizens will continue to suffer simply for thinking differently.
