Eswatini frees prominent opposition leader pardoned by king

A prominent former opposition lawmaker in Eswatini was freed on Tuesday after being pardoned following more than four years in prison over what he termed "pro-democracy protests" in 2021.

Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati III, who has held the throne since 1986.

Mthandeni Dube was released from the high-security Matsapha Correctional Centre, 30 kilometres from the capital Mbabane.

Dube was arrested in July 2021 alongside fellow MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza for inciting unrest during protests calling for democratic reforms.

To remain under supervision

"I am happy that the King has released me," Dube said at the low-key ceremony where 11 other prisoners – nine men and two women – were also freed.

The group, all dressed in orange prison uniforms, stood quietly as their release was announced.

Officials said the freed inmates would remain under the supervision of the correctional services and would not be allowed to make public speeches or join protests.

"Only today can they entertain the media, and from tomorrow, none of them is expected to meet journalists," Commissioner General Lomakhosini Dlamini said.

Mabuza, who was sentenced to 25 years, did not apply for a pardon, correctional services spokesperson Baphelele Kunene told AFP.