The start of a landmark legal challenge to the rule of King Mswati III has boosted the pro-democracy movement in the tiny southern African state of Swaziland.
The fight began when 289 residents of the small rural community of Kashali were threatened with eviction from their homes by an emissary acting on the king's orders. 18 of their homes have been demolished. The king wants the land they live on to produce income for the royal family. The residents have initiated a class action against the king's emissary, and against the head of the police.
Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch, rules Swaziland with an iron fist. Political parties are banned in the country, as is all civil society activity that criticizes or opposes the monarchy. He is above the country's constitution and derives much of his income, which is used to support a large royal family of 13 wives and 26 children, from the expropriation of wealth from agriculture and businesses. More...
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