Swaziland sex workers want to become legal and pay taxes

Sex workers in Swaziland (eSwatini) want to be formally registered so they can work legally and pay taxes.

At present sex workers face fines of up to E100,000 (US$6,500) or up to 20 years’ jail time.

They also want the government to provide them with shelters where they can work safely.

They voiced their concerns at the launch of the16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence in Pigg’s Peak. This is an annual event.

Jabu Wayne, representing sex workers, called on the Swazi Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku to consider their trade as vital to helping their families and provide them with structures where they could conduct their business.

She said they were also being harassed by the police. ‘Even if we go to report about being robbed to these police officers, they don’t take us serious, instead they tell us that we should go back without helping us,’ local media reported her saying.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, told the launch meeting, ‘In eSwatini, one in three girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18, while, reportedly, nearly half of Swazi women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. 87 of every 1,000 teenage girls fall pregnant. Early teenage pregnancy is the leading cause of girl teens dropping out of school and brings many health risks such as birth complications.’

Masuku said, ‘The majority of violence incidences go unreported as a result of family secrets, fear of victimization and coercion on the part of the family or close relatives against reporting or even withdrawing reported violence cases, as well as lack of trust in the justice system, among others.’

See also

Swaziland teenage pregnancies, gender violence high during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-teenage-pregnancies-gender.html

 Four in ten sex workers in Swaziland ‘raped by uniformed police officers’ https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/11/four-in-ten-sex-workers-in-swaziland.html

Poverty forces girls into sex work

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/09/poverty-forces-girls-into-sex-work.html

Swazi people face up to two years jail for breaking coronavirus rules on gatherings

People in Swaziland (eSwatini) face jail terms of up to two years if they break coronavirus regulations on the size of gatherings under new measures.

The Swazi National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) announced on Tuesday (24 November 2020) that fines of up to E25,000 (US$1,630) could also be imposed.

There are also penalties for breaking rules about the sale and consumption of alcohol.

People who break rules about wearing a mask in public places face arrest and a E100 fine.

NDMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Russell Dlamini said those in charge of gatherings, including weddings, funerals or community meetings, should take necessary steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus ( COVID-19) or face the stipulated fine.

Gathering cannot last longer than two hours and thirty minutes, unless permission had been granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Deputy Prime Minister’s office.

The number of people attending functions such as weddings, funerals or memorial services or an arts and entertainment event in closed areas, should not exceed 100 and 200 people if held in an open area.

Dlamini said night gatherings were still banned, including vigils.

On masks he said, ‘Once you are out of your home, it is compulsory to wear the mask or when travelling in private vehicles with passengers.’

He added, ‘If you board public transport without wearing a mask, you also stand to be fined E100 but drivers will pay E800 for allowing passengers who are not wearing masks on board.’

 

 See also

Swaziland PM hospitalised with coronavirus, taken to intensive care unit

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-hospitalised-with.html

 Swaziland PM warns of tough surveillance measures as people break coronavirus lockdown rules https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-warns-of-tough.html

Swaziland PM hospitalised with coronavirus, taken to intensive care unit

Swaziland (eSwatini) Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini has been admitted to hospital after developing ‘mild symptoms’ of coronavirus, a government statement said on Monday (23 November 2020).

The 36-word statement said doctors recommended he be admitted for ‘’monitoring and recuperation’.

The Times of eSwatini later reported he was in the intensive care unit (ICU). It reported Dlamini had been taken to Mbabane Government Hospital’s ICU at around 11 a.m. on Monday. ‘His security detail remained outside the ICU door ensuring that he was safe, while doctors and nurses attended to him.’

It reported Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi saying they had admitted Dlamini to the ICU because there was no private ward available. ‘Even if you want to place anybody in a private ward, there is none presently in the country’s government health facilities,’ she said.

The Times reported, ‘When asked on whether the PM’s condition was critical, Minister Nkosi said they would update the nation should the need arise.’

Dlamini last week announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini

 

See also

Swaziland PM tests positive for coronavirus

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-tests-positive-for.html

 

Swaziland PM warns of tough surveillance measures as people break coronavirus lockdown rules https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-warns-of-tough.html

 

Entire Swaziland Cabinet in isolation after minister tests positive for coronavirus https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/07/entire-swaziland-cabinet-in-isolation.html