Africa-Press – Eswatini. Wandile Dludlu,the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) was in the early hours on Sunday,blocked, harassed and detained by the eSwatini police on his way to attend the funeral of Madeli Fakudze, a brother to the late deposed Chief Mliba Fakudze of Macetjeni.
In a press statement sent by the Office of the Deputy Secretary General Maxwell Dlamini, the political organization condemned the harassment of the senior political leaders, Dludlu was with Secretary General Penuel Malinga and others.
“The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) vehemently condemns the reprehensible actions of the Tinkhundla regime, which, in the still of the night, unleashed over 100 heavily armed police officers to harass, detain, and block our Deputy President Wandile Dludlu, Secretary General Penuel Malinga, and hundreds of PUDEMO activists on their way to pay their respects at the funeral of Madeli Fakudze, brother to the late Chief Mliba Fakudze of Macetjeni. While they were later released, the draconian directive to return home and not attend the funeral underscores the regime’s disdain for human dignity, cultural values, and freedom of assembly.This barbaric act is yet another glaring example of the regime’s systematic oppression, aimed at silencing voices of reason and justice. It represents a blatant violation of basic human rights and a callous disregard for the solemnity of mourning and paying respects to the departed. The conduct of the police force, armed to the teeth and intent on intimidation, is a stark reminder of the lengths to which the regime will go to maintain its illegitimate grip on power”, reads the statement in part.
Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati declined to comment about the matter.
Madeli Fakudze was persecuted by the Tinkhundla regime after the removal of his brother Mliba Fakudze as Chief of Macetjeni in favour of Prince Maguga.
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