Eswatini spokesperson defends jailing parliamentarians

The spokesperson of the Eswatini government says international partners and friends should respect the country’s sovereignty and rule of law. This week, the US Embassy in Eswatini and Amnesty International expressed concern after the Eswatini High Court sentenced two members of parliament -- Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube -- to a combined 43 years in jail. They were arrested in July 2021 while delivering a petition calling for democratic reforms and charged with promoting political terrorism. Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo tells VOA’s James Butty, the two men received a fair trial and that anyone wanting to criticize should utilize the proper channels.