Firefighters in Swaziland
are angry that they are being forced by their bosses to attend Christian church
services.
A memo has been issued to
stations across the kingdom advising that staff should attend Tuesday fellowship
services.
The Observer on Saturday newspaper in Swaziland reported (20 May 2017)
the memo from Chief Fire Officer Dumisani Khumalo read in part, ‘Officers-in-Charge
are commanded to give support to these services by motivating officers under
their command to attend these services. Such services headquarters consider
them playing a major role such as counselling in various social problems
encountered by officers. It also promotes unity among the workforce fraternity.
However, headquarters is compelled to request for your support towards the
success of these fellowship services.’
The newspaper reported that
some firefighters felt they were being forced to follow the Christian religion
and this was against their constitutional rights.
One firefighter was
reported by the newspaper saying, ‘We cannot, therefore, have someone forcing
down Christianity to us. It would have been better if the fellowship was
conducted in such a way that all the religions are followed so that we also
have the Muslims, the Bahais and those that believe in ancestors all
accommodated,’ he said.
Forcing people to follow
Christianity is contentious in Swaziland where King Mswati III rules as
sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. In January 2017 a directive was
issued by the Swazi Government which is
handpicked by the King that Christianity
was to be the only religion taught in schools.
The move was considered to be against
the spirit, if not the letter, of the Swazi
Constitution. When the 2005 Constitution was being
drafted, it was decided not to insist that Swaziland was a Christian country.
This was to encourage freedom of religion.
Lawyers for Human Rights
spokesperson Sabelo Masuku said although Swaziland was predominantly Christian,
the Government had to consider the Swazi Constitution which made it clear there
was freedom of religious choice.
See also
SCHOOLS RELIGIOUS TEACHING SHAKE-UP
SCHOOLS
RELIGION BAN PROTESTS GROW
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