In a disturbing development highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Eswatini, Mbuso Mabuza, a local resident, has fled the country after being victimised for refusing to participate in traditional Incwala rituals. The incident sheds light on the oppressive environment where ordinary citizens face persecution for exercising their personal freedoms and refusing to conform to customary practices.
According to reports, Mabuza was selected by the ritual leaders of the Gwebu clan to perform a dangerous pre-ritual task—digging and carrying a mysterious root known as *Luphambo*. This root is considered a highly perilous muti, traditionally used by the king in the preparation of the Incwala ceremony. The ritual, deeply rooted in Swazi culture, involves a series of symbolic acts that are believed to connect the nation with ancestral spirits, but it has also been a source of controversy and fear among those who refuse participation.
Mabuza, who had prior knowledge of the risks associated with handling Luphambo, openly refused to undertake the task. His decision was met with hostility from the authorities and ritual leaders, who allegedly issued death threats and intensified intimidation tactics. Fearing for his life, Mabuza decided to flee the country to escape persecution.
"Yes, it is customary that the Gwebu clan choose one man each year to dig and handle the very dangerous Luphambo," Mabuza told this journalist. "With my past experience, I knew what was coming. I refused. That's when I started receiving death threats from the authorities. I had to be safe."
Eswatini, a country often criticized for its human rights record, has a long history of suppressing dissent and enforcing traditional customs through coercive means. Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the government’s intolerance of personal freedoms, especially when cultural practices are used as tools for intimidation and control.
The case of Mbuso Mabuza echoes a similar tragedy involving another Swazi citizen, Mamba. Mamba was reportedly fired from his job and his daughter was murdered by authorities simply for refusing to partake in Incwala rituals after he confronted and chased away the king’s ritualists who intruded on his homestead at Mkhuzweni. Mamba was told to vacate his home immediately, with no regard for his rights or safety.
These incidents serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address human rights abuses in Eswatini. The use of cultural traditions to silence dissent and suppress personal choice continues to threaten the safety and freedoms of ordinary Swazis.
As Mabuza seeks refuge outside the country, questions linger about the extent of government involvement in perpetuating such practices. The international community must advocate for meaningful reforms to protect individual rights and ensure that cultural and religious practices do not become tools of oppression.
