Prospects of successful interventions in Eswatini depend on the citizens: Radebe

Former Minister Jeff Radebe says prospects of success in interventions in the Eswatini situation depend on the citizens of the Kingdom.

Radebe is among the SADC envoys that President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent to meet with King Mswati III amid ongoing protest.

The protesters are calling for democratic reforms and the release of the two arrested members of the parliament.

Radebe says he hopes the SADC deployment will address the current unrest in Eswatini.

He says, “Our role is to facilitate the resolution of the political challenges that they are faced with. So I am very determined to use everything in my fibre to play that critical role in resolving the issues there.”

“I am going there with an open mind ensuring that we hear all views so that at the end of the day the people of Eswatini must be able to come around the table and come up with a lasting solution,” Radebe adds.

Interview with Radebe:

Change

People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) in Eswatini hopes the envoys sent by Rampahosa would bring about change in that country.

The movement says King Mswati III should be forced to relinquish power as the people of Eswatini are determined to reform the country.

PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya says South Africa should impose sanctions on the monarch.

“If Swaziland (Eswatini) is to change, we are the ones who must do it and we are determined and committed to doing it. He owns a significant investment in a lot of areas in South Africa. His children his relatives are studying in South Africa. If South Africa were to agree to say it will consider imposing sanctions on the King and those who are responsible for the killings of people in Swaziland (Eswatini), Swaziland will change tomorrow. So we think South Africa can assist us.”

Senior Researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue Faith Mabera has warned that the SADC deployment to Eswatini is unlikely to succeed because of the monarchy’s determination to undermine all intervention efforts.