Swaziland's main opposition leader, Mario Masuku, of the banned political party, the People's United Democratic Front (Pudemo) has pleaded not guilty to two charges of sedition against him.

The long awaited trial in the capital's High Court was filled with about 300 of Mr Masuku's supporters wearing yellow, green and black scarves.

The state prosecutor is accusing Mr Masuku of sedition for demanding an end to the reign of Africa's last absolute monarch, King Mswati III and for allegedly inciting revolution.

Mr Masuku, aged 51, faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

Mr Masuku's attorney, Mr Piet Ebersohn, moved an application that all the charges be withdrawn against his client because they were faulty.

Application dismissed

But Presiding Judge Josia Matsebula dismissed the defence argument that charges be struck off because the translation of a speech from SiSwati into English had been faulty.