The People United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President says they will tomorrow proceed with the Petition delivery exercise at the Mbabane East iInkhundla.

The PUDEMO President posted on Social Media a few hours after Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced a ban on these exercises with immediate effect.

“It has become apparent that this exercise has created a breeding ground for anarchy & has been intentionally hijacked to sow seeds of division among emaSwati in complete disregard of public safety, the rule of law and COVID-19 Regulations,” said the Acting Prime Minister on Thursday.

Reacting to the Acting Prime Minister’s statement, Makhanya expressed that Emaswati has a right to petition those who have availed themselves to serve the public.

“Tomorrow we will turn out in numbers to deliver a petition to Mbabane East Member of Parliament. Our right to petition those who have availed themselves to serve us (public) is sacrosanct and can never be given and taken away by anyone”, posted the PUDEMO President.

Meanwhile, the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), also issued a statement challenging the Acting Prime Minister’s statement. The PUDEMO youth wing expressed that the Tinkhundla Centers were set up by the government for Emaswati to express their opinion and therefore, the petition deliveries are the legal route set up by the government.