Protests against police brutality in Eswatini

A series of protests in Eswatini against police brutality were sparked when taxi conductors resisted the arrests of their comrades for operating from bus stations, soon to be followed by students and political formations in solidarity.

On Friday 21 May 2021, police fired teargas and live ammunition at Thabani Nkomonye’s peaceful memorial service in Manzini. Elderly members of Thabani’s family were among those who were injured and rushed to hospital. On that day, five students were arrested by the police. Three of them were granted R50,000 bail each, ordered to pay R3,000 and R47,000 as surety.

A crowd of about 200 mourners had gathered to pay their respect to Thabani who was shot and killed by the police.

Thabani’s mother, Siphiwe Mkhabela, is reported in Eswatini news as saying that her son’s eyes were gouged out and had three gunshot wounds and an open wound on the head when he was identified by family members at the mortuary.

Police fire live ammunition and teargas at the memorial service of Thabani.

The SUDF joined by youth delivered a petition to the Manzini regional station commander calling for the suspension of the police involved in the cases of the death of Thabani Nkomonye and the assault of Sanele Shiba at the bus conductors’ demonstration, May 10.

Protesters marching to the regional police headquarters in Manzini.

Protesters outside the Manzini police headquarters to deliver a memorandum demanding the suspension of the police officers involved in the cases of Thabani Nkomonye and Sanele Shiba.