Political parties in Swaziland – some of them outlawed
– have joined together to try to force an end to the rule of absolute monarch,
King Mswati III.
Their leaders intend to march on Wednesday (13
November 2019) to deliver a petition to Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini. They
will also petition the South African High Commission to Swaziland, saying it is
the accomplice and beneficiary of the ‘royal dictatorship’.
This will be followed on Saturday by a public gathering
in Manzini.
The political parties include the Ngwane National
Liberation Congress (NNLC), the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS), the
Swazi Democratic Party (SDP) and the People’s United Democratic Party
(PUDEMO). They have formed a grouping called the Political Parties Assembly
(PPA).
In Swaziland, political groups advocating for
democracy are banned under the Suppression
of Terrorism Act.
All political parties are banned from taking part in
elections and the King appoints the government.
In
a statement the PPA said it wanted to end the kingdom’s form of government,
known as Tinkhundla, or monarchical democracy. They want power returned to the
people.
PPA stated, ‘We unanimously observed that the royal
project Tinkhundla has reached a point of no return in dragging down our
dignity and stretching beyond limits our patience as a people.’
The announcement came days after it was revealed the
King had taken delivery of at least 15 Rolls-Royce cars for his wives and
family and 79
luxury BMW cars worth US$6 million for ‘escort duties’.
PPA said, ‘Brazen looting and plunder of national
resources by the monarchy have reached levels unmatched in history, plunging
our people into unbearable conditions as witnessed through escalating cost of
living, crisis in education and health, high unemployment as well as poor
general service delivery.’
In a statement,
Mduduzi Gina, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland
(TUCOSWA), said, ‘A petition should be delivered to the office of the Prime
Minister and other Ministries by the PPA lead coalition on Wednesday November
13 in Mbabane. A Mass Meeting of every concerned organizations and persons shall
be convened on Saturday 16th, November at the SNAT Center starting at 0900hrs.
A long-term program of action will be taken for implementation in the mass
meeting envisaged. Any changes if any, will be communicated in due as we
receive direction from the PPA.’
See also
King
of impoverished Swaziland takes delivery of 79 luxury BMW cars worth US$6
million
Not
enough Supreme Court judges so Swaziland Terrorism Act appeal postponed
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