The Eswatini police have alleged that Mlungisi Makhanya, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), and Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News Editor, coordinated activities during the 2021/22 unrest in Eswatini by phone. This allegation is contained in court papers filed in support of Eswatini’s application for the provisional arrest and extradition of Ntokozo Kenneth Vilakati, who is reportedly under arrest in South Africa.
According to Assistant Superintendent Bhekani Shiba of the Royal Eswatini Police Service’s Organised Crime Unit, Makhanya and Dlamini gave instructions to those on the ground during the unrest. The police also allege that firearms stolen during the unrest were surrendered to Makhanya. These allegations place Makhanya and Dlamini at the centre of the police account of the activities of a group described as the ‘underground solidarity forces’.
The investigator, Shiba, links the group to offences allegedly committed in Eswatini’s four regions during the period of unrest between 2021 and 2023. Vilakati is alleged to have been a member of the group and acted on instructions from Thabo Kunene, identified as the group’s commander, as well as other individuals, including Makhanya.
The allegations form part of the evidence presented by the director of public prosecutions (DPP) in seeking Vilakati’s provisional arrest pending extradition to Eswatini to face prosecution. The DPP, Lomvula Hlophe, describes the period of unrest between June 2021 and June 2023 as one characterised by serious damage to property, arson, deaths, and injuries.
According to Hlophe, attacks during the period were directed mainly at members of the security forces, judicial officers, prosecutors, traditional authorities, regiments, Members of Parliament, and members of the public. The DPP’s application also refers to statements allegedly made by Kunene through Swaziland News, an online publication managed by Dlamini.
One of the statements, dated July 25, 2022, was allegedly published through the platform’s Facebook and YouTube channels, in which Kunene spoke about the so-called solidarity forces, issued instructions, and gave the nation 14 days to act. He allegedly demanded that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), and His Majesty’s Correctional Services give way to forces on the ground.
The court papers also refer to another statement allegedly made by Kunene on December 13, 2022, in which he urged the public to follow his earlier instructions and indicated that he had started working. The allegations concerning the different incidents form part of the investigator’s account of the activities attributed to the group.
Key points
- Makhanya and Dlamini allegedly coordinated unrest activities by phone.
- The unrest resulted in serious damage to property, arson, deaths, and injuries.
- Vilakati is sought for extradition to face prosecution in Eswatini.
