Eswatini: Authorities must quash convictions and sentences of former MPs

16 July 2024 Following the sentencing of former Eswatini Members of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza to 85 years and Mthandeni Dube to 58 years in prison, with effective sentence terms of 25 years and 18 years respectively due to concurrent sentences, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said: “Eswatini authorities must immediately quash the unjust and baseless convictions and sentences of the former members of parliament. Their convictions and sentences stem solely from the peaceful exercise of their human rights. “Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube and end this travesty of justice and blatant attempt to suppress peaceful dissent. “Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube have been arbitrarily detained since their arrest during pro-democracy protests in 2021. They have been subjected to a prolonged legal process characterized by baseless charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act and Sedition and Subversive Activities Act. The former members of parliament were prosecuted for calling for political reform in Eswatini.