Journos save the day for motorists at High Court

MBABANE – Journalists had to intervene as members of different political formations blocked the public road outside the High Court yesterday.

This was during the trial of Hosea Member of Parliament (MP) Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube, who were arrested and charged for allegedly contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Justice Dlamini from Channel Yemaswati and Sicelo Mhlanga from the Swaziland Democratic News, engaged the protesting members of the political formations after they had refused to give way to motorists when ordered to do by the police officers

Mhlanga had a tough time pleading with the demonstrators, some of whom ended up pushing him. They demanded to know who he was to call them to order. “Angeke sitjelwe nguwe,” the demonstrators said while pushing Mhlanga away.

Mhlanga was assisted by other demonstrators who pulled him gentle until he left the crowd.

Dlamini on the other hand, persistently pleaded with the progressives until they moved away from the road.At the time, some demonstrators had resorted to calling their leaders who followed the proceedings inside the courtroom to call their colleagues to order.

“Nobody wants to listen to the other. They keep asking ‘who are you to call us to order?,” said some demonstrators while moving towards the courtroom.

The demonstrators also accused each other of conveying messages from the police officers.

“You seem to be giving us instructions from police. What are you discussing with the police?” the demonstrators asked their colleagues.

Dancing

At the time, some demonstrators were singing, dancing and doing push-ups in the middle of the road, causing inconvenience to motorists. The situation was so tense that some motorists had to take alternative routes. Police officers were verbally attacked when calling the demonstrators to order.

“You are our brothers and sisters so we are not expecting you to come hard on us. We do not want a repeat of last year, where we lost our relatives at your hands. We know why we are here and are not expecting you to tell us what to do and how to do it,” the demonstrators told the police who were monitoring the situation a few metres away. However, they finally gave way to the motorists, as the situation became calm.

Inside court, the MPs’supporters who came early crammed the courtroom in support of the legislators.

Some remained outside the courtroom before they were ordered to leave the court premises. This was after they were accused of making noise.

Those who were not properly dressed were turned back at the gate.