With Swaziland still being the last supreme autocratic monarchy on the continent, it is no surprise that there have been various human rights violations against the subjects of King Mswati III by his government.
Following what many civil society and political opposition groups and have labelled a farce, the parliamentary elections held in September 2013 have had no impact whatsoever on reforming the burgeoning human rights and humanitarian crisis facing the country according to that year's Freedom House report.
The clip highlights various human rights issues facing the country ranging from police brutality curbing peaceful protest action to freedom of association of opposition parties.
One of the many violations for which the king has been openly criticised, is the government’s lax approach to its HIV/AIDS programme and severe poverty affecting those suffering with the disease. According to the United Nations Programmes on HIV/AIDS Swaziland currently has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world of 26%.
This clip highlights the story of a woman who is suffering with HIV/AIDS and doesn’t have enough food to fill her stomach once a day. Sophie, and many like her, have resorted to eating cow dung as a source of sustenance.
To augment the negative effects of the anti-retroviral treatment she drinks to treat the disease.
As the people of Swaziland struggle to survive intense poverty and hardship, the king continues to have one of the largest reserves of personal wealth in the world (Brite: 2013) further motivating his violent suppression on democratic reform in Swaziland and ensuring his power remains absolute.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
