Swaziland
Newsletter No. 744 – 16 September 2022
News from and about Swaziland, compiled by
Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk)
in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com),
and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.
Unrest
claims 63 lives since June 28 2021
By
Timothy Simeane, eSwatini News (print edition), 10 September 2022
MBABANE: The ongoing political unrest has claimed the
lives of 63 people since June 28 last year.
To stop the continued bloodshed, the country’s
Commission on Human Rights, which plays the role of public protector, is taking
steps to ensure that those behind the killings were brought to justice.
The number includes the 46 killed during the
June/July, 2021 political unrest as well as those that have been killed in the
past 13 months.
The notion that the deaths were politically motivated
comes from the causes of deaths and how most have been claimed by forces linked
to the calls for democratic changes.
All 17 deaths between July 2021 and September 2022
were fresh incidents and do not emanate from the injuries of June 28 and June
29. At least seven of those killed in the past 13 months were members of the
security forces – the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and Umbutfo Eswatini
Defence Force (UEDF)
In October last year the Commission for Human Rights
and Public Administration (CHRPA) released for public attention a report which
stated that there were 46 people shot dead in only two days between June 28 and
29. Of these, two were children, five women, seven youths, two elderly citizens
and 30 men. It had also stated that the total number of people who took a
bullet during the upheavals was 291. He said his report used a verification
process and not investigation to arrive at the figures. This meant the report
did not cover people who suffered injuries, died in accidents or through assaults.
The number could be much more, assuming some of those
who were shot with live bullets in confrontations had later succumbed to the
injuries months later.
Civic Organisations have, however, continued to claim
that the number of people killed during the political unrest had exceeded 100.
This is despite that the information had not been verifiable.
Asked to give direction on how the bloodshed could be
stopped, Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Public
Administration Sabelo Masuku, said the answer lied with the recommendations of
the report compiled by his organisation.
One of the recommendations was that the Government of
Eswatini should immediately take concrete steps towards reconciliation and pave
way towards a constructive and all inclusive dialogue to identify and resolve
the root cause of the unrests.
Though the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Troika on Politics Defence and Security made a similar recommendation,
the country had not had a dialogue. Authorities said last month that the
environment was not yet conducive for the dialogue.
Reads the recommendation: “Those responsible for
causing deaths must be investigated and brought before the law. Initiate an
independent, thorough, credible, transparent and impartial investigation by
experts with relevant skills and knowledge into allegations of human rights
violations and abuses, and to bring those responsible to justice.” However,
since the upheavals, only civilians had been hauled to on various charges
ranging from malicious injury to property, public disturbance, terrorism
related charges and others. None of the security personnel were ever charged
for the killings of civilians who did not take part in violent protests.
The Commission also recommended that the State must
ensure full exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and protest, in
accordance with the Eswatini’s Constitution and international obligations. It
also called upon the State to use all appropriate means to ensure that these
rights can be exercised freely and securely, “including by making sure that the
safety of demonstrators is guaranteed; to ensure the protection of the human
rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, such as women and children; and
to ensure that any restrictions on those freedoms respect the principles of
legality, necessity and proportionality.”
The Commission also recommended that REPS and other
security agencies should be equipped with adequate material means to manage
public protests, where they must maintain or re-establish public order, to
remove lethal weapons and to authorise the use of force only as a last resort
and in compliance with the principles of necessity, proportionality and
legality, in accordance with international standards.
SWALIMO National Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo said
dialogue was the only means to end the bloodshed.
“We want democracy, but there is an elephant in the
room, which is the security forces that are being used to brutalise emaSwati.”
Silolo said the majority of people who were killed
were not political activists, but just emaSwati who fell victim in an
unfortunate manner.
Senate
President Lindiwe Dlamini looted over R600,000.00 in multi-million donated
COVID-19 funds
By
Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 12 September, 2022
MBABANE: Senate President
Lindiwe Gwebu Dlamini allegedly looted over six hundred thousands Rands
(R600,000.00) in the multi-million donated COVID-19 funds.
The monies were donated by
private companies and international organizations, however, Government failed
to purchase vaccines and other equipment after the looting that resulted to
Swazis loosing their lives during the pandemic.
On Monday, the Times of
Eswatini reported that Dlamini’s Hotel, the Bethel Court situated at
Ezulwini received six hundred and forty-six thousands, six hundred and forty
nine Rands(R646,649.00)in respect of accommodation services.
The Senate President who
recently urged the Prime Minister to deal with protesting poor Swazis allegedly
violated provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, she is the upper House
of Parliament (Senate)that approves a budget for Cabinet and further demand
accountability in the utilization of public funds.
A questionnaire was sent to
the Senate President, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling
this report.
Reached for comment, former
Deputy Senate President Ngomyayona Gamedze, the Sive Siyinqaba Acting Chairman
said there was a law prohibiting politicians from doing business with
Government and State owned entities.
“Parliament is a watchdog,
Government accounts to the people through Parliament. Now that it has been
disclosed that she benefitted from COVID-19 tenders, can she stand-up in
Parliament and ask the Prime Minister why Lindiwe was awarded a tender? Can she
demand accountability of her own corrupt dealings? Njengoba abhizi nje
kulamalanga abuta Prime Minister kutsi bantfu labafuna inkhululeko
bayekelwelani bangaboshwa, angasukuma yini nyalo abute Ndvunankhulu kutsi
ninginikeleni mine le-tender, atisho yena?”, said the former Senate Deputy
President.
Private
sector not creating enough jobs
By Sifiso Nhlabatsi,
eSwatini Observer, 13 September 2022
The private sector is not creating enough jobs to
reduce unemployment and poverty, especially for women and the youth.
This is according to International Finance Corporation
(IFC) Economist Zivanemoyo Chinzara, who was speaking during the launch of the
Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) report by World Bank and IFC.
Chinzara said the private sector reflected a dual structure
with a few large firms and state owned enterprises (SOEs), and a majority of
low productivity informal firms.
He said there was a falling aggregate firm productivity between 2007 to 2016,
except for manufacturing firms.
The economist said there was weak job creation as the
formal sector only created about 1 000 jobs per year, yet young labour force
was growing by 25 000.
He said informality dominates the labour market,
accounting for 61.9 per cent of the total employment.
“MSMEs represent 40 per cent of employment, but are
mostly in low productivity and earning activities. Women are more likely to own
micro enterprises.
Reverse the fall in investment and productivity, reignite inclusive growth and
job creation within a constrained fiscal space, and domestic and regional
uncertainty for investors,” the economist stated.
Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba
Khumalo said Eswatini can harness the power of the private sector to stimulate
a more resilient, greener and sustainable growth model, by attracting
investments in renewable energies.
The Eswatini Country Private Sector Diagnostic report
highlighted reforms needed to increase Eswatini's competitiveness to unlock
export potential and increase the private sector participation to sustainably
grow its economy.
The CPSD report suggested strengthening the trade and
regulatory environment and reducing the state footprint in sectors that can be
better served by the private sector.
It also encouraged private participation in key enabling sectors like
telecommunications and energy.
Another recommendation made by the economist was
that there was a need to host private sector forums to understand bottlenecks
to supply chain investments.
No
freedom of speech: Swazi MPs banned at EBIS radio
By
Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek, 13 September, 2022
LOBAMBA: Eswatini lawmakers’ political program known
as Tase Phalamende is no longer aired on the national radio.
This was a live programme where the nation would
follow live debates happening in Parliament.
As the winds of change blow to shake King Mswati III’s
throne, through his principals at Eswatini Broadcasting Information Service
(EBIS) he banned progressive lawmakers who are taking advantage of the
programme to enlighten the Swazi people about the evils of the Swazi Royal
family and the failure of the Swazi monarchy.
In an interview with this Swati Newsweek Online
yesterday, Mtsambama member of Parliament Simosakhe Shongwe confirmed the
suspension of the radio program. “Our program Tasephalamende has been censored
by the Swazi authorities and EBIS decided to stop the programme.
“We no longer have freedom of expression in this
country. Our people can no longer hear us talking and addressing important
issues on the radio. The closure of our program at EBIS means management
protected someone, that is the reason why we need change in this country.
Swazis should determine their destiny,” said Shongwe.
He also criticized the rumour mongers who want to
influence authorities to extend the term of office of the Swazi MPs.
He said authorities have a bad tendency of failing to
address issues. There is no need to extend term of office for the lawmakers. I
believe the looming extension is unjust to the Swazi Nation.
“We have to tackle our issues head on. The rumour to
the effect that our term of office might be extended, is a bad rumour We need
the elections. There is absolutely no need to keep this parliament,” he said.
He said authorities must not postpone the election to
avoid addressing the contentious issues of political change.
He explained, “We have to sit down with all the people
and address our politics. It is wrong to extend the term of office for the
lawmakers.
“Some of us speak the same language the arrested
lawmakers Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi are speaking,”
he added.
King’s
Secretary Sihle Dlamini involved in multi-million money laundering scam, ACC
sabotaged investigations
By Zweli
Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 13 September 2022
MBABANE: King’s Secretary Sihle Forward Dlamini has
been implicated in a multi-million money laundering scandal, due to his
political influence, an investigation was allegedly sabotaged by the castrated
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
This disclosure comes after this publication exposed
how the King’s Secretary facilitated the looting of over R100million on behalf
of Mswati in respect of mineral deals.
It has been disclosed that Sihle Dlamini was
investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged corruption,
however, the investigation was subsequently sabotaged and the ACC failed to
respond to our questions on the matter despite several attempts.
Now, it has emerged that apart from the R100 million
looted from Salgaocar Mine, the King’s Private Secretary allegedly violated
provisions of the Money Laundering Act by depositing highly questionable cash
amounting to millions to his over seven(7)personal accounts held at NedBank
Swaziland, Standard Bank and the First National Bank(FNB).
An independent investigation conducted by this
Swaziland News uncovered that Dlamini (45), was a holder of Nedbank Current
account 30000209259 that was opened on the 26th November 2007, its turnover was
approximately R1 753 206.53 for the period of 14 September 2018 to 02 November
2018.
It has been disclosed even though a large portion of
the money came through corrupt dealings linked to King Mswati, part of the
money was paid to Dlamini as bribes by people who wanted to seek an audience
with King Mswati for political appointments in the election year of 2018.
On or around 2nd November 2018, the King’s Secretary
personally deposited cash amounting to four hundred thousand Rands
(R400,000.00) and three hundred thousand Rands(R300,000.00), he then made a
transfer of R990,675.73 to Hawane Retirement Funds.
A questionnaire was sent to King’s Secretary Sihle
Dlamini, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
But in a recent public address, the King’s Secretary
challenged those who accused him of stealing public funds to provide evidence.
“I am a businessman and I was born from a business
family. Anyone who accuses me of stealing public funds must provide evidence,”
he said.
It has been disclosed that Dlamini’s seven ( 7)
accounts with Standard Bank as follows and include a Call Account number
9110003319523(over R15,000.00), Premium Call Account number 9110001561130 with
over R2,244 519.39, Premium Call Account number 9110003151134 with a balance
R709,123.86.
Other accounts include a Pure Save Account number
9110000942882 with a balance of R2,281 305.02, Private Banking Cheque Account
number 9110002607002 with a balance of R31,020.86, Home Loan Account number
9110001515031 with a loan of R1,656 000.00 and another home loan account number
9110000519459 with a loan of R1, 050 000.00.
Reached for comment, Mandla Hlatjwako, the Chairperson
of Letfu Sonkhe Institute for Strategic Thinking and Development said it was
very hard to even comment and entertain Sihle because the Nation is now aware
that those around the King including Dlamini have embarked on looting.
“Even their leader (King) is no longer a King but a
head of a mafia that is protecting the interest of his family and those around
him. Now, Sihle is busy talking because he is protecting his interests and that
of the King because he is benefiting. They are laundering millions to other
countries while the people are suffering,” said the Letfu Sonkhe Chairperson.
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