WATCH: Eswatini protestors now burn down breweries

Eswatini continues to be rocked by gunfire and violence as pro-democracy protests intensify.

Protesters angered by economic decline have become increasingly vocal in demanding political reform and want King Mswati III to surrender power. The Swazis have now resorted to burning down Government breweries and properties that King Mswati is believed to have shares in as they continue to demand democracy.

WATCH: BEWERIES BURNT DOWN IN ESWATINI

The Eswatini Government introduced a curfew on Tuesday, 29 June citing the COVID-19 Delta variant in South Africa. The curfew comes into effect between 18:00 and 05:00 and coincides with overnight protests in parts of Eswatini that have seen supermarkets looted and infrastructure destroyed.

BREAKING NEWS: Eswatini Beverages where King Mswati owns shares burned by protestors.Tension is escalating in this tiny Kingdom, citizens want the King to surrender power. pic.twitter.com/FkHvQQGSUi

— Swazi News (@SwaziNews) June 30, 2021

The brewery was successfully burnt down into ashes last night,unending gunshots and explosions all night long, nengoma beyisolo isha njalo giving us proof to life. May the Lord spare the lives of our fighters and give us more strength to fight on!#KungahlwaKwenile #eSwatini pic.twitter.com/OrW6hXGp3m

— SimplyAmazing (@FifieZl) June 30, 2021

Eswatini Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku said that all offices and business are expected to close by 15:30 and essential workers must carry a permit at all times. Schools were also closed with immediate effect.

“It is therefore important now more than ever that we become deliberate in our actions in order to save the lives of emaSwati & avoid a major spread of COVID-19. This Delta variant spreads much more rapidly than the variants we have had in the past.”

“The law will be upheld against all those who perpetuate anarchy & threaten the lives & livelihoods of emaSwati (Swazis). Our security forces are on the ground to maintain law & order. We request the Nation to cooperate with security forces as they are deployed to protect lives.”

Eswatini Acting Prime Minister

WHY ARE SWAZIS PROTESTING?

Protests in Eswatini were sparked by the death of alleged police brutality victim, Thabani Nkomonye earlier in June. The 25-year-old was a final year law student at the University of Eswatini and was allegedly killed by police who also allegedly tried to hide his death and tamper with evidence

In the past few days, police fired tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and water cannons at the protesters. Since the weekend, the army has been called in to quell the rising tide of public anger. The demonstrators, who are demanding multi-party democracy and an elected prime minister, have pelted police with stones in response.

Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned from participating in elections, the King appoints the Prime Minister, Ministers, Judges, a majority of Senators and all members of the various Governing Councils.

READ: JUST IN: Eswatini King Mswati III allegedly flees kingdom amidst protests