ARRESTS OVER ROYAL RITUALS: CULTURE, COERCION, AND RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ESWATINI

The monarchy’s use of cultural rituals as a tool of authority is sparking outrage in Eswatini, where citizens are facing arrest for resisting the imposition of royal practices in their homes. The case of Mbongeni Mamba, who was detained on Monday for allegedly assaulting King Mswati’s ritual men (Bemanti), has highlighted the growing tension between tradition, individual rights, and state power in the kingdom.

Mamba’s ordeal began when the Bemanti, under instructions from King Mswati, reportedly entered his home in Gilgal, Lubombo region, to perform rituals associated with the Incwala ceremony. These rituals, described by critics as “witchcraft,” involve collecting objects such as soil from homes as part of royal ceremonies. Mamba’s resistance to the intrusion led to his arrest by Siphofaneni Police, raising concerns about the coercive enforcement of cultural practices.

King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane attempted to frame the incident as a deviation from standard procedures. “The water people normally work in an orderly manner, using identifiable state vehicles, and their movements are monitored by security,” Simelane said. However, the spokesperson admitted that the alleged forced entry into Mamba’s home constituted a police matter, deflecting responsibility from the monarchy.

The rituals in question are typically conducted toward the end of each year as part of the Incwala ceremony, a significant event in Eswatini’s cultural calendar. Bemanti are tasked with fetching water from the Indian Ocean and performing rituals across the kingdom, often entering private homes uninvited. These practices, while framed as cultural traditions, have drawn criticism for their invasive and coercive nature.

Human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi condemned the incident, describing it as an abuse of culture. “It’s illegal to invade people’s homes, and what these Bemanti do by picking objects, including soil, is described in our culture as performing witchcraft (kutsakatsa). You cannot forcefully invade someone’s home to perform witchcraft and then arrest the owner of the home if he resists,” Nhlabatsi argued.

The incident has raised broader questions about the monarchy’s use of cultural rituals to assert power and control. For many, the forced imposition of such practices represents a violation of individual rights and freedoms. Citizens who resist these intrusions are often branded as disrespectful to tradition or disloyal to the monarchy, creating a climate of fear and coercion.

Critics argue that the monarchy’s cultural practices, while deeply rooted in Swazi traditions, have been weaponized to maintain authority and suppress dissent. The arrest of individuals like Mamba highlights the intersection of cultural enforcement and state power, where police are used to silence resistance and protect royal interests.

This case also underscores the erosion of the rule of law in Eswatini. The use of cultural practices as a justification for invading private homes and detentioning citizens reflects a broader disregard for legal and human rights standards. The absence of accountability for such actions perpetuates a system where the monarchy’s authority goes unchecked.

The arrest of Mbongeni Mamba is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of human rights violations in Eswatini. From the suppression of political dissent to the enforcement of cultural practices, the monarchy continues to wield its power with little regard for the well-being and autonomy of its citizens.

As the pro-democracy movement in Eswatini gains momentum, cases like Mamba’s serve as a reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform. The people of Eswatini deserve a government that respects their rights, traditions that are voluntary rather than coercive, and a justice system that upholds fairness and accountability.

The international community must take note of these ongoing abuses and support efforts to hold the monarchy accountable. The fight for a democratic and just Eswatini is not just about political change—it is about ensuring that every citizen can live without fear of coercion, intrusion, or arbitrary arrest. The time for change is long overdue.