THE COMMUNIST Party of Swaziland has demanded the release of three of its members, detained while campaigning for democratic reforms in the country on Friday.

It said the activists were detained in the east of the country as they took part in activities aimed at raising political consciousness among the masses.

Party materials were seized by police in the town of Big Bend, while more than 15 officers harassed the party members before bundling them into a police van.

“Provocative behaviours should be avoided, in particular from security agencies, to allow a peaceful transition to democracy,” party general secretary Thokozane Kenneth Kunene said.

He warned against “the arrogance and stupid warmongering” of the country’s autocratic ruler, King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolutist monarch, who is said to live a life of luxury while 63 per cent of Swaziland’s citizens live on less than $1.25 (£0.95) per day. 

Since he came to power in 1986, political parties have been banned — there was a brutal clampdown on democracy protests that erupted last summer.

Scores have been killed and hundreds injured as Mswati issued “shoot to kill” orders to put down the mass movement.

The Communist Party has since called for “a revolutionary people’s war” and the formation of an armed militia to defend communities and overthrow Mswati’s reactionary regime.

“Our country is desperate for a peaceful transition which Mswati and his political elites are rebuking and rejecting outright,” Mr Kunene said yesterday.

“Security agencies in Swaziland must not buy into the menace of the dictatorship, which has no forward movement other than to destroy everyone who has ignorantly pledged to serve the outdated and failed system,” he added.

“The party will not accept any barbarian acts from the rogue regime.”