Swaziland Newsletter No. 745 – 23
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.
Residence of
Swazi pro-democracy leader bombed by alleged state-sponsored hit-squad
Peoples
Dispatch, 21 September 2022
In Swaziland’s eastern town of Siketi in
the Lubombo region, an alleged state-sponsored hit-squad, bombed the residence
of Mlungisi Makhanya, president of People’s United Democratic Movement
(PUDEMO), after midnight at about 1 AM on September 20.
“Residents in neighboring houses heard
gunshots. Then they saw armed men had climbed a wall fence [of Makhanya’s
house] and were shooting at the electric cable. After the lights went out, they
threw what seemed to be explosive grenades into his house,” Wandile Dludlu,
Secretary General of PUDEMO, told Peoples Dispatch. When flames
engulfed his house “they sped away in their cars.”
Makhanya, however, is safe. Two months ago
in July, PUDEMO had received credible information that its president was going
to be a target of assassination, Dludlu said. PUDEMO is one of the leading
pro-democracy parties in the continent’s last absolute monarchy where all
political parties are banned.
Makhanya had been moved to safety in
neighboring South Africa, where several pro-democracy activists from Swaziland
have been forced into exile or hiding by the regime of King Mswati III.
When asked if the police have registered
any case, Makhanya replied, “Of course not.” He said, “It was them [who did
it]. They don’t entertain cases that require them to investigate themselves, or
even worse, to investigate the army soldiers.”
In a statement after
the bombing, PUDEMO said, “This attack comes in the backdrop of threats from
Mswati’s traditional governor, Timothy Ginindza, to the effect that the regime
has trained an arson squad whose sole purpose is to target and burn down the
homes of leaders of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and to assassinate
them.”
MDM is a coalition of more than a dozen
pro-democracy political parties, student unions, trade unions, youth
organizations, and other groups. Ginindza’s threat to such organizations,
Dludlu said, has been caught in an “intercepted” cell phone conversation in
which he was “discussing the plot to bomb properties belonging to political
leaders,” according to Swaziland
News.
PUDEMO maintains that this hit-squad is a
direct result of Mswati’s order to the security forces to take an “eye for an
eye,” as he threatened in his Police Day address on August 5. Dludu said that
there has been a significant rise in “attacks on homes of leaders and
activists, arrests, and clampdown on mass activities like protests” since this
speech.
Leaders of other prominent pro-democracy
parties, including the Communist
Party of Swaziland (CPS), have also faced increased attacks and
raids on their homes.
Many believe his threat is an incitement
to exact revenge for the attacks on his properties last year. These attacks
occurred during the broader anti-monarchist insurrection that followed the
violent crackdown on unprecedented nationwide peaceful pro-democracy marches.
Amid the attacks on the businesses and
industries he owns, the King had briefly fled the country, returning only after
his army had put
down the rebellion by killing over 70 people and arresting
hundreds.
Nevertheless, strong anti-monarchist
sentiments have not only prevailed within urban contexts, but has also taken
root in villages, which until last year were presumed loyal to the King.
Despite intensifying repression by the
security forces who have since grown increasingly nervous, protests have
continued as a regular feature in this small landlocked country with a
population of 1.2 million. Most of the Swazi economy is owned by the King and
run to finance the royal indulgences, including palaces, a fleet of Rolls Royce
cars, and private jets. The youth see the myriad businesses and industries
owned by him as a prime target to attack.
In this context, the monarch’s call for
security forces to take an “eye for an eye” appears to have translated into
increasing attacks and arson on homes of pro-democracy activists.
PUDEMO has assured that “the president
remains unshaken, defiant, and ready for the revolutionary task of fighting
side by side with you in attaining the freedom and liberation of the country
from royal rule.”
“The value we attach to our material
possessions is ephemeral, but the value we attach to our noble struggle is
permanent,” the party states.
PUDEMO and the pro-democracy
movement in Swaziland also received
international messages of solidarity.
the International Peoples Assembly (IPA)
wrote in a statement:
“We vehemently condemn this and all attacks, harassment and intimidation of the
people of Swaziland by the monarchy as a blatant violation of basic human and
political freedoms.”
The IPA, comprising about 200 progressive
organizations from across the world, has reiterated that “peoples’ sovereignty
and democracy are core pillars of our work and must be defended from Western
Sahara and Morocco to Swaziland!”
Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) Phila Dlamini who opposed arrest of pro-democracy MPs
resigns
By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland
News, 18 September, 2022
MBABANE:
Phila Dlamini, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)who advised against the
arrest of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament (MPs) Bacede Mabuza
and Mthandeni Dube due to lack of evidence has resigned.
It
has been disclosed that the resignation of the influential DPP has been kept a
top secret, senior Government officials are allegedly engaging him to withdraw
the resignation “as it might embarrass the King”.
Reached
for comments, Phila Dlamini, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the
issue surrounding his resignation was between him and his employer, he asked
not to comment.
“The
issue you are asking me about is between me and my employer hence, I cannot
comment,” said the DPP.
Speaking
to this Swaziland News on the subject matter, Thulani Rudolf Maseko, a highly
regarded human rights lawyer in eSwatini said the resignation of the DPP does
not come as a surprise to some of them because the DPP’s office was long
politicized.
“It
should be clear that the political interference not only on the DPP’s but other
organs of the State can no longer be denied. It may come as a surprise to
others but to some of us, it is not a surprise that the DPP has finally come to
the point where he says it is inevitable for him to be there, on the basis that
his office is not allowed to operate independently,” said the human rights
lawyer.
Mob attacks gay
couple at bus rank
By Mfanukhona Nkambule, Times of Eswatini (Sunday), 18 September 2022
MBABANE:
It looks like it’s going to be a long way to go. With regard to the embracement
of same-sex affairs, there are emaSwati who find it difficult to tolerate this
relationship.
On
Monday, the Mbabane bus terminus came alive when a gay couple, one of whom was
dressed in a miniskirt, was confronted by more than 50 people who tailed them
to shops, screaming expletives at them. As they entered Pep Stores, the crowd
followed them, wondering why they pretended to be females when they were known
to be men.
One
of the famous marshals told the hecklers that he grew up with the one wearing
the miniskirt.
Attracting
public attention, he shouted that the one wearing a miniskirt was actually a
man, not a female. For about 30 minutes, they did not have peace as the bus
workers and market vendors made fun of them.
Wearing
facial make-up and high heel shoes that made him look like a beautiful woman,
he was heckled, ridiculed and abused such that others forced him to apologise
for pretending to be a woman. “Listen; (name withheld), I grew up with you, I
was swimming with you and I know you very well. You are a man,” said the bus
marshal, triggering all-round laughter.
The
couple, holding hands and looking determined to rise above mockery, were taken
by one of the bus drivers to a minibus where he closed the door for their
safety.
He
did not allow the mockers to open the door. However, the windows were open.
They peeped through the window and mocked at them. The couple continued to
smile at them, seemingly or apparently refusing to be seen to be taking
offence.
Questions
They
uttered no word. They refused to answer questions. Of course, they did not
apologise. “Why are you provoking us? You come all the way from one of the
locations in Mbabane to make us angry. Do you think we like what you do? We
want you to apologise for disturbing peace at the bus rank,” another bus worker
was overheard issuing instructions to the couple. “No, no, no, this is wrong
and we deserve an apology.”
A
sympathiser who was aboard a kombi enroute to Lobamba peeped through the window
to caution the hecklers: “You are wasting time; these people don’t care about
what you are doing to them.”
Angered
by the sympathiser’s remarks, a market vendor swiftly moved out of the crowd to
face her: “You shut up you! Are you also one of them? We are correcting moral
wrongness here.”
Human
Dignity Trust, a non-government organisation (NGO), says samesex sexual
activity is prohibited under the common law, which criminalises acts of
µsodomy’ in Eswatini.
According
to the NGO, the penalty provided under the law is not known. Only men are
criminalised under this law, said Human Dignity Trust.
It
is said that the law was inherited from the British during the colonial period,
in which the English criminal law was imposed upon Eswatini. Eswatini retained
the provision upon independence and continues to criminalise samesex sexual
activity today.
However,
it is said that there is no evidence of the law ever being enforced, and it
appears to be largely obsolete in practice. Nevertheless, the mere existence of
this provision is itself a violation of human rights and underpins further acts
of discrimination, according to the NGO.
Discrimination
There
have been some reports of discrimination and violence being committed against
the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI) community
in recent years, including stigma, the denial of registration of NGOs, assault,
and a homophobic murder.
In
April 2022, the Eswatini High Court upheld the decision of the Registrar of
Companies to refuse to register the LGBTQI rights organisation, Eswatini Gender
and Sexual Minorities. While the court accepted that the Constitution protects
the right of LGBTQI people to freedom of association, privacy and expression,
it still found in favour of the Registrar of Companies.
Human
Dignity Trust stated that the LGBTQI had a right to life, liberty, privacy or
dignity. They have a right not to be discriminated against or be subjected to
inhumane and degrading treatment.
The
organisation went on to say that they have a right to associate and right to
form a company. It is said that they have a right to freedom of expression.
These
rights are inherent in them not by reason of their sexual preferences as
LGBTQIs but as human beings, according to the Trust.
On
June 26, 2021, US Ambassador to Eswatini, Jeanne Maloney, said there was an
opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to equality and diversity in all its
forms, including LGBTQI people.
The
ambassador was speaking during Eswatini Pride Month 2021 Virtual Programme. She
said communities were enriched by the diverse experiences, perspectives, and
contributions of their members.
Maloney mentioned the importance to
recognise the value of diversity and inclusion, and treat all with the same
respect, fairness and dignity. “This is a foundational truth – human
rights and democracy are intrinsically linked with stability, broad-based
prosperity, peace and progress,” she said. “And defending and advancing human
rights, including the human rights of LGBTQI people, is simply the right thing
to do.” She added: “That’s why a few days after taking office, President
Biden signed a memorandum instructing all US agencies engaged in diplomacy and
development to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people around the
world.”
Struggle
She alluded to the fact that Pride Month
commemorated years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit for
equal rights for LGBTQI individuals, as well as recognition of their
accomplishments. The 2021 Human Rights Report on Eswatini compiled by the US
State Department, states that while there were colonial-era common law
prohibitions against sodomy, no penalties were specified, and there had never
been an arrest or prosecution for consensual same-sex conduct. It is
stated that the law does not prohibit discrimination against (LGBTQI) persons
in housing, employment, nationality laws, and access to government services
such as health care.
However, societal discrimination against
LGBTQI persons, although gradually lessening, remained a concern, and (LGBTQI)
persons often concealed their sexual orientation and gender identity, according
to the US State Department. The Department of State reported that LGBTQI
persons, who were open, regarding their sexual orientation and relationships
faced censure and exclusion from the chiefdom-based patronage system. It
is mentioned in the report that some traditional, religious, and government
officials criticised same-sex sexual conduct as neither morally Swati nor Christian.
Country
under crime siege
By Kwanele
Dhladhla, eSwatini Observer, 22 September 2022
The spate of cold blooded murders, shooting of both security forces and
general populace together with robberies committed almost on a daily basis
using mostly unlicensed firearms has resulted in communities deciding on taking
the law into their own hands.
As a result of what has been termed ‘country under siege’ in certain
quarters, the people have decided to take the law into their own hands.
At the northern parts of the kingdom, Buhleni, hundreds of angry
citizens have given the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) a seven-day ultimatum
to bring the suspected murderer of the 10-year-old girl from Luphikweni to book
or they effect public justice.
The same sentiments have been expressed by residents of Msunduza in the
capital city.
During a meeting convened on Sunday, the fed-up residents claimed police
fear visiting some areas of the township and as a result took a decision to
deal with suspects who brandish guns and all sorts of weapons as they commit
daylight robberies.
At the southern part of the mountainous kingdom in Nhlangano, police
have also been petitioned with a stern warning to either to come up with an
effective strategy to eliminate the ever rising crime rate or they will use
their own tactics to keep themselves safe.
Businesses, especially the Asian community who have fallen victim to the
trigger happy thugs who make every frantic effort, including committing murder
just to cash in, have also called upon the police service to ‘pull up their
socks’ to avoid making the country lose out from millions of Emalangeni
as investment.
Nhlangano residents have been called to a meeting where crime would be
the main item on the agenda. The meeting will be held
tomorrow.
National Commissioner of Police (NatCom), William Dlamini, admitted that there
were too many firearms on the loose lately.
He said their investigations had also uncovered some of the culprits who
possess the illegal firearms whom they would work day and night to arrest.
“We are also worried of the rising murders and crimes which happen at
different parts of the country lately. The police are doing everything they can
and up-scaling their efforts to curb any form of lawlessness,” Dlamini
promised.
He said in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Firearm Amnesty during the month of September, they were calling upon all
holders of illegal guns to hand them over to the police.
NatCom promised that they would not arrest anyone who brings an illegal
firearm during this month.
“If we find anyone with an unlicensed firearm when the amnesty has
lapsed, they will face the long arm of the law because we are lenient at the
moment,” Dlamini warned.
Dlamini went on to advise the public to desist from taking the law into
their own hands despite any circumstance. He said there would be no sympathy
for anyone who decides to do the work of security forces.
“We will arrest any individual or group which decides to take the law
into their hands,” he said.
NatCom said even in cases where the community has a suspect in mind,
they should report to the police who have expertise to investigate every form
of crime.
Similar to the statement by the Swatini Action Group Against Abuse
(SWAGAA) to the effect that the justice system has a critical role to play in
deterring and preventing gender-based violence cases from occurring over and
over again by ensuring speedy trials, making arrests, and giving stiffer sentences,
NatCom urged judicial officers to deal harshly with repeat offenders and
suspects who commit crimes intentionally with the comfort that they will be
granted bail.
“The courts must help us by reconsidering the bail conditions of
suspects who intentionally commit murder and other serious crimes because they
have money to pay up in order to walk free then commit the same crimes again,”
he pleaded.
In response to the allegation to the effect that police officers were no
longer attending to crime scenes in certain areas, he disclosed that they had
already devised a strategy to deal with crime infested areas where the lives of
police officers become under threat when executing their duties.
“I would also strongly advise against waylaying police officers as they
protect the citizenry and the entire nation,” said Dlamini.
eSwatini monarch ritual practice under test: King
Mswati to meet world leaders who attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Africa Press, 20 September 2022
King Mswati who is in New York for the United Nations (UN) General
Assembly is highly expected to meet and interact with world leaders who
attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
As per King Mswati’s ritual beliefs and practices, Swazis who attended
funerals are banned from coming closer to the absolute Monarch for certain days
or until they are cleansed.
Reached for comments on Tuesday, Ludzidzini Palace Governor Lusendvo
Fakudze maintained that anyone who attended a funeral must be cleansed first
before coming closer to the King.
“Kuba nesihlati lesimnyama nalesimhlophe, nawubuya emngcwabeni ugeza
ngaletihlati letimbili.Utsi ungageza-ke sewungaya eNgwenyameni
naseNdlovukazini(meaning: After attending a funeral, you must be cleansed first
before coming closer to the King or Queen),” said the Governor.
Sibongile Mazibuko, the Chairperson of the Political Parties
Assembly(PPA) said King Mswati was undermining Swazis by banning them from
coming closer to him after attending funerals.
“Now, he is attending the UN General Assembly, we will see if those
leaders will be allowed to come closer to him”, said the PPA Chairperson.
I will not
resign as editor, State propaganda journalists must relax.
Opinion by
Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 16 September, 2022
Alec Lushaba, the editor of the newly established
State controlled Financial Times will learn the hard way that journalism
must be enhanced by the highest level of intelligence.
The desperation by the State and controlled
journalists to see ‘Zwemart’ or this publication fall has resulted to
unnecessary speculation suggesting that I am resigning because donors dumped
this publication.
After releasing that article, I received information
suggesting that there was a celebration within some quarters, then this week,
State editor Alec Lushaba came-up with an article suggesting that “Funders dump
terrorist Zwemart”.
I am very careful in my writing not legitimize such
speculations presented as facts.
Even if I was planning to resign temporarily to gain
experience in the field of investigation, the reaction of the State proved the
importance of this publication and therefore, public interest will always
triumph my personal interests.
In this regard, it is important to inform the Nation
that I will not resign but will work as the editor of this publication until
democracy is attained.
Therefore, those who celebrated must start wiping
their tears of joy to give way to tears of sadness.
It is political cowardice of the highest order to
conclude that this publication is funded or driven by foreign agents, this Swaziland
News is driven and controlled by Swazis.
The Financial Times will be discredited again
for writing a story suggesting that I am resigning without contacting me to get
the facts and details.
I am not going anywhere and will continue to drive the
agenda to enhance access to information as a critical tool to influence
democratic reforms.
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