LWANDLE RESIDENTS ASSAULTED BY POLICE IN NIGHTTIME ATTACK
The brutality of Eswatini’s law enforcement has once again reared its ugly head. This time, it was the residents of Lwandle who fell victim to unprovoked violence, assaulted on Sunday night for the “crime” of traveling after dark. As a pro-democracy activist and a voice for the voiceless, I find this deeply personal, not just as an observer of the systematic oppression that defines Eswatini’s governance, but as someone who has witnessed the devastating impact of unchecked state power on ordinary citizens.
The residents, returning from a festive outing, were ambushed by police officers reportedly traveling in a Quantum. Instead of safety, they were met with razor wires, batons, and the heavy boots of a force that should be protecting them. One of the victims shared how the Manzini Police Station Commander encouraged them to open a case against the rogue officers. It is a bitter irony—seeking justice from the very system that enables such acts of terror.
Eswatini’s law enforcement has long been a weapon of the monarchy, used to silence dissent and sow fear among the population. I remember writing about Sipho Jele, who was tortured and killed for wearing a PUDEMO t-shirt. I remember the brutal crackdowns on civilians during the 2021 unrest, where dozens of innocent lives were lost. The systemic nature of this violence is not accidental; it is a calculated effort to suppress the growing calls for freedom, equality, and democracy.
The pro-democracy Swaziland International Solidarity Forces (SISF) had briefly held rogue officers accountable, forcing a pause in the state-sponsored torture of civilians. But with the SISF’s influence waning, law enforcement has resumed its reign of terror, emboldened by the lack of accountability and the silent complicity of those in power.
This assault on Lwandle residents is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored violence designed to keep us, the people of Eswatini, subdued. I cannot help but reflect on the stories of resilience I’ve encountered in my activism. The grandmother in Hosea who starves because her protector, Bacede Mabuza, is unjustly imprisoned. The families who lose their loved ones to police brutality yet rise every day to demand justice. These are the stories that fuel my commitment to continue speaking out.
What happened in Lwandle is a microcosm of the broader injustice that plagues our nation. Residents were merely celebrating the festive season—a time that should be marked by joy and togetherness. Instead, they were met with violence, injuries, and trauma. Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati’s refusal to comment on the matter is yet another reminder of the state’s contempt for accountability.
Dozens of innocent civilians have been killed by police, soldiers, and game rangers in Eswatini, and yet the perpetrators walk free. I write this not just as an activist, but as someone who has seen firsthand the devastation wrought by such impunity. I write this for the residents of Lwandle, for those who cannot speak out for fear of reprisal, and for those who have lost everything in the struggle for freedom.
To the people of Lwandle, know that your pain and resilience are seen. To the enablers of this violence, know that history will not absolve you. And to my fellow Swazis, let this incident fuel our collective resolve. We cannot allow this cycle of violence and oppression to continue. Together, we must demand accountability, justice, and the freedom that every human being deserves.
