STORY BY PHUMLANI DLAMINI

31/05/2018

Well known Eswatini Political activist Mphandlana Shongwe is demanding E500 000 from the National Commissioner for unlawful detention.

Shongwe together with the President of the People’s democratic Movement Mario Masuku were detained at the Ngwenya Boarder Gate while trying to attend a march that was themed “Free Amos Mbedzi” in South Africa.

According to the Times of Swaziland, Shongwe is suing the Eswatini Government for an unlawful arrest and detention that took place on the 11th March 2018. Speaking to the Times of Swaziland, Shongwe expressed that he was arrested without a warrant and was intern deprived his freedom of movement and Liberty and was also detained in the police van for an hour.

Shongwe was arrested despite having going through the immigration process, stamped his travel document and had in possession a ticket that was issued authorizing police officers at the gate to allow him entry to South Africa.

Below is the breakdown of Shongwe’s claim:

Unlawful arrest and detention                       -E150 000

Loss of liberty                                                      -E150 000

Discomfort and contumelia                              -E100 000

Actio iniuriarum                                                  -50 0000

Constitutional damages                                      – E50 0000