Anguished pleas for prayer as people fear for their safety in eSwatini were circulating via social media this morning, sketching a stark picture of a country collapsing under the violent insurrection of protesters deposing King Mswati III – Africa’s last living monarch.
One of the messages, a sound file, is of a female employee whose voice breaks up as she tells of the extreme threat of an uprising that has been building momentum since pro-democracy protesters started rampaging through commercial and industrial centres last Saturday.
Addressing a business colleague, presumably in South Africa, the woman says: “I hope you guys are okay that side. This side is bad. The people are looting and burning everything. The highways are closed. We can’t get in and out at all."
“They want the king out. They want democracy in this country. Swaziland has literally been brought to its knees. Please pray for us.”
A text message circulated via the Transist Assistance Bureau provides further evidence of the desperate situation in which people in eSwatini find themselves.
Addressed to “all suppliers” of Aerobrake Swaziland, a truck and trailer parts company in Matsapha, Manzini, the message says that the political riots have forced citizens to shelter indoors.
“We are all stuck at home. All roads have been blocked and the borders have been closed.
“The internet was cut yesterday across the country, but luckily our WiFi at home is working.”
Mention is made of an employee who will risk getting to Aerobrake’s premises to fetch a computer for business purposes.
The message adds that businesses have been burned down and shops looted. No food shops are open.
‘Please pray for us. We need prayers.”
It’s internet shut down and its media gagged, this is a rare image of a protestor in eSwatini. SOURCE: Twitter
WATCH: eSwatini unrest - https://tinyurl.com/djbnysjk
