TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

FORMER MP PARDONED; OTHER STILL DETAINED

Eswatini UA 113.21

Former Eswatini Member of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza has been arbitrarily detained since July 25, 2021, under politically motivated charges. He has been subjected to beatings, denied timely access to his lawyer, and medical care. His prosecution stems from the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression, association, and political participation. In a joint trial with former MP Mthandeni Dube, the two were convicted and sentenced in July 2024 to lengthy prison terms following proceedings marred by serious due process violations.

Mthandeni Dube was pardoned on November 5, 2025, and conditionally released under severe restrictions on his speech, movement, and political activity, while Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza – whom Amnesty International considers a prison of conscience – remains imprisoned.

Call on Eswatini’s Prime Minister, Russel Mmiso Dlamini, to immediately and unconditionally release prisoner of conscience Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and to lift all restrictions on Mthandeni Dube - send your letter using our email writing tool.

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Eswatini Prime Minister

Russel

Mmiso Dlamini

Eswatini Prime Minister

Dear Honorable Prime Minister,

I am concerned regarding the ongoing arbitrary detention of former Member of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and the severe restrictions imposed on former MP Mthandeni Dube.

While I welcome the news of Mthandeni Dube’s pardoning and conditional release on November 5, 2025, his release is subject to a number of severe restrictions on his rights to freedom of expression, association, and movement. Meanwhile, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza – detailed solely for his opposition and political activity – remains unlawfully detained.

Both men were arrested on July 25, 2021, for speaking out against state repression and calling for constitutional reform. They were convicted and in July 2024 sentenced to 85 (Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza) and 58 (Mthandeni Dube) year prison terms under repressive anti-terrorism and sedition laws following proceedings marred by serious due process violations. In September 2022, both MPs were brutally assaulted with batons by members of a tactical unit responsible for their transport. Their lawyer was initially denied access, and medical care was delayed until an urgent court order compelled treatment.

I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release prisoner of conscience Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and to lift all restrictions on Mthandeni Dube.

Yours sincerely,

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