THE Communist Party of Swaziland has condemned Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini for branding democracy protesters “mercenaries and anarchists.” 

The party called today for international solidarity with the uprising that has rocked the country for the past month.

The widespread protests in Swaziland — now known as Eswatini — calling for free and democratic elections and legal status for political parties have been met with a brutal crackdown by security services. At least 40 people have been killed at marches and rallies that have taken place in most major towns and cities.

The party said the comments by the princess, who is the country’s minister for press control and censorship, undermined aspirations for democracy and freedom.

“Over 40 of our young compatriots have been murdered by the regime since the start of the new wave of pro-democracy, anti-dictatorship protests.

“Dlamini is deliberately denigrating these heroes of the freedom struggle,” CPS general secretary Thokozane Kenneth Kunene said.

He said the latest move was “a desperate ploy on the part of the illegal regime designed to deceive the people in the hope they will drop their bid for freedom.”

The protests have continued  — despite a ban on demonstrations in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, ruled over by King Mswati III since 1986. 

He retains full control of the executive and judiciary while presiding over a regime accused of torture and other human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions.

The protests are the largest seen in the country for decades. Last month the government was forced to deny allegations that the monarch had fled the country.

The CPS called for “widespread solidarity with the pro-democracy forces in Swaziland and those operating in exile, the unbanning of political parties, an end to press censorship, the safe return of exiles and the holding of free and fair elections.”