Swaziland
Newsletter No. 752 – 11 November 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.
Three
injured as eSwatini army open fire on protesters
AFP,
11 November 2022
About 100 minibus taxi and bus drivers
took to the streets in the central city of Manzini to demand the release of the
four who were arrested earlier this week accused of assaulting a female
customer.
But the protest soon turned violent.
Demonstrators looted shops and torched a
police post, witnesses said, triggering the deployment of the armed troops.
"The army opened fire on protesters
who were looting a truck," said one witness, who preferred to remain
anonymous fearing retaliation from authorities.
Local hospital head Benjamin Simelane said
three transport workers were taken there suffering from gunshot wounds and were
currently receiving treatment.
"The soldiers were beating everyone
they caught and opened fire," said a second eyewitness who also asked not
to be identified.
Government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo said
"law enforcement agencies will continue to apply the law in order to
uphold the rights of roads users and public transport users".
Musa Dlamini, the chair of the Swaziland
Local Transport Association, said the group was investigating the incident.
Eswatini has traditionally stifled dissent
and pro-democracy movements and political parties have been banned since 1973.
Previously known as Swaziland, landlocked
Eswatini is Africa's last absolute monarchy.
Last year, at least 37 people were killed and hundreds injured during weeks
of anti-monarchy protests in the worst unrest to hit the usually peaceful
southern African country.
Soldiers
deployed in Manzini day of chaos: public transport workers’ protest turns
chaotic
By
Sibusiso Zwane and Stanley Khumalo, Times of eSwatini, 11 November 2022
MANZINI: Some parts of Manzini, mainly around the bus rank,
came to a standstill yesterday morning (Thursday 10 November 2022).
It all started at around 9am
when some public transport workers blocked the roads to and from the Manzini
Bus Rank in protest against the continued incarceration of five of their
members, including the President of the Eswatini Kombi and Buses Allied Workers
Union (EKABAWU), Mcolisi Fakudze. The incarcerated public transport
workers were; Mashumi Shabangu (38) of Matsapha, Mandla Malindzisa (37) of
Fairview and Siyabonga Nhleko (36) of New Village. The others were Mcolisi
Fakudze (32) of Ngwane Park and Nicholus Dludlu (35) of Nsingizini.
They were charged with the
offence of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in that on
November 2, 2022 at Manzini City Centre, they allegedly assaulted Abdullah Aziz
Kolia with a knobkerrie and sjambock several times all over the body. They are
said to have also assaulted him with fists and kicks in the face with intent to
cause him grievous bodily harm. After blocking the roads with stones and
garbage, the public transport workers sent about 20 of their colleagues to give
moral support to their incarcerated colleagues, so that they could also give
them an update regarding their bail application.
During their appearance in
court, their Lawyer Thembumenzi Bhembe, clarified to the court that at first,
he was informed that the court had denied the accused persons bail and he went
to the High Court. However, he submitted that at the High Court, he was
informed that the accused persons were not denied bail, but it was deferred as
the complainant was in a critical condition in hospital. In response to
that, the presiding judicial officer, Magistrate Philisiwe Simelane, said
during their first appearance, she took her time and addressed them in siSwati,
thus she did not understand where the misunderstanding was.
Thereafter, the lawyer applied
that he court grant them bail. He submitted that the accused persons were
emaSwati and they were not a flight risk. He added that all of them had between
one and three children, who solely depended on them, together with their
spouses. He argued that their continued incarceration would affect their
children and spouses. Again, the lawyer informed the court that the
assault incident took place on November 2, 2022 and from there, the accused
persons had been going to the police station on their own as they were called
by the law enforcers for investigations. After that, he submitted that they
were charged and warned to appear in court, which they duly did on November 8,
2022.
“By this, they showed that
they are not flight risk and that they will attend their trial. Also, the
police showed that they trusted them that they cannot run away from the court
as they did not lock them up after charging them, instead they warned them to
come to court,” the lawyer submitted.
In that regard, the legal
practitioner asked the court to consider releasing them on their recognisance
as they had displayed that they were willing to attend trial. He applied
that bail should not exceed E2 000. In response, the court asked him to make an
offer and he applied that may their bail be fixed at E1 500 for each.
On the other hand, the Crown
said bail was not opposed and that the complainant had been discharged from
hospital as he was no longer in a critical condition. However, he
submitted that the court should consider that the purpose of bail was to ensure
that the accused persons attended their trial. In that regard, the Crown
submitted that the proposed E1 500 bail for each was small to ensure that they
attended their trial. “Considering the seriousness of the offence, may the
court consider granting bail not less than E5 000,” the Crown submitted.
Thereafter, the court fixed their bail at E6 000 for each and their trial set
for December 14, 2022.
To read more of his
report, click here
eSwatini crisis degenerates into terrorism
By Sambulo Dlamini, CAJ News, 9 November 2022
MBABANE:
ARGUABLY one of the world’s most neglected crises lately, the catastrophe in
Eswatini has degenerated into a guerilla warfare that is escalating by the day.
The month of November has undoubtedly been
among the most restive in Africa’s last absolute monarchy since the conflict
between the King Mswati III’s administration and the pro-democracy movement
debased into bloodshed in mid-2021.
Last Saturday, a militant group killed
Chief Prince Mahloma of Zandondo, said to be a relative of the king.
He had been held hostage in his home since
the previous day with the assailants recording the ordeal, according to
informants.
This incident, and the recent spate of
police killings, attacks on some companies linked to Mswati III, indicates
Eswatini is the latest country to be on the throes of a terror group.
The so-called Swaziland International
Solidarity Forces (SISF) has claimed responsibility of the chief’s killing. It
has defiantly claimed responsibility of the other killings and arson in recent
weeks.
The SISF is shrouded in mystery.
It claims to be on a mission to restore
the dignity of the emaSwati but its chilling modus operandi is akin to a
terrorist group.
This week, SISF razed to the ground
properties of companies that Mswati III is said to have a stake or owns.
Shops and vehicles of the said businesses
were burnt.
Losses were reported to run to thousands
of Dollars.
On Monday, it emerged the king had
summoned the media to his palace, the House of Dlamini, in Lobamba, a
co-capital with Mbabane.
In response, the government was at the
time of publication contemplating a curfew to curb further unrest.
At the session with journalists at the
palace, it was alleged state-controlled media ordered to falsely report an
increase in COVID-19 cases as a justification for the curfew.
On Tuesday, a newspaper reported Eswatini
had recorded a staggering 87 percent daily increase in COVID-19 cases!
Activists are not impressed with what they
believe is propaganda.
“Coming up with schemes and scams to
sustain the current status quo that has created so many grievances and strife
won’t work,” activist Qhawe Magongo said.
“They should initiate all-inclusive
dialogue, release MP’S and accept that if there’s one thing that’s constant,
its change,” he added.
Mswati III’s administration this week
issued a stern warning.
Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, said
the government was taking “drastic and practical steps” amid killings of state
security officers and other emaSwati.
He alleged citizens were being influenced
with money to perpetrate crime.
“The nation is urged to work with
government to create a peaceful environment, that would be suitable for us to
dialogue in a free manner and share ideas in terms of how best we build a
stable and prosperous country for which future generations shall be grateful to
inherit,” Masuku said.
Government has also branded striking
junior police officers as terrorists after the aggrieved cops marched to Prime
Minister Cleopas Dlamini’s residence demanding a salary increment.
“The march to the Prime Minister’s home
was out of order and an indication of terrorist elements existing among the
junior officers,” government spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, said at a media
conference.
This week, church leaders marched to
parliament to demand national dialogue as the solution to the tragic political
impasse in the country.
The skirmishes in the former Swaziland are
also a cause for concern in powerhouse neighbor, South Africa.
Apart from political and economic ties,
the two nations share royal ties.
Newly-crowned Zulu monarch, King Misuzulu
kaZwelithini, is a nephew of Mswati III’s.
His mother, Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, is a
sister to Mswati III.
Mswati III (18 years at the time of
coronation) attended the coronation of his nephew, King Misuzulu (48).
University
cancels graduation amid security threats against Chancellor King Mswati.
By
Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 8 November, 2022.
KWALUSENI: Salebona Simelane, the
Registrar of the University of eSwatini (UNESWA)has written a memo informing
staff members that the institution’s 2022 Graduation Ceremony has been
cancelled.
“It is advised that due to unforeseen
circumstances, the 2022 Graduation Ceremony of the University has been
cancelled. The inconvenience caused is regretted,” reads the memo signed by the
University Registrar, dated 08 November 2022
Reached for comments, Salebona Simelane,
the Registrar of the University of eSwatini confirmed that the Graduation
Ceremony has been cancelled, however, he asked not to share reasons behind the
cancellation.
“It’s true that the graduation has been
cancelled but I cannot share the reasons,” said the Registrar.
But insiders told this Swaziland News that
the Graduation Ceremony has been cancelled as a result of the political
unrest’s second wave ,and the fact that Chancellor King Mswati was feeling
unsafe to attend.
“The King is not feeling safe these days due
to the ongoing political unrest, so he is not comfortable with attending the
ceremony,” said the insider.
Speaking to this publication, Colani
Khulekani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS)
said the cancellation of the graduation was victory to them adding that they
wanted to disrupt it because of King Mswati’s presence.
“Students are struggling with no
scholarships, allowances such that some had stopped attending classes due to
hunger. We wouldn’t have allowed a King who unleashed his soldiers and the
police to shoot us as students, merely for demanding allowances to then attend
a graduation ceremony and shake hands with us. Mswati is no longer popular
among the people and we don’t want him in any of the institutions of higher
learning,” said the Students President.
EU,
Taiwan urged to avert civil war
By
Timothy Simelane, Times of eSwatini, 5 November 2022
MBABANE: The Embassies of the Republic of China
(Taiwan) as well as that of the European Union (EU), have been engaged to save
Eswatini from an imminent civil war.
Members of the mass democratic movement, who called
themselves the Concerned Citizens of Eswatini delivered petitions to the two
embassies and asked foreign envoys of either countries not to supply the
Eswatini Government with ammunition. In the petition, the Taiwanese
Embassy was criticised for allegedly supplying the government with helicopters that
were then allegedly used to hunt down emaSwati, who are calling for political
change.
“What is appalling is that military aid continues to
be sent by President Tsai (of Taiwan) to an authoritarian regime here in our
motherland. Taiwan´s taxes paid for helicopters that were used to kill and maim
fellow emaSwati. Those helicopters continue to hover above our communities and
our people live in perpetual fear and trauma,” alleged the
petitioners. The petition was received by Minister Ching-Lin Tsuei of the
embassy, who was in the company of other embassy staff members. The Royal
Eswatini Police Service (REPS) was also visible inside and outside the embassy
premises.
The petition was read by Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) (SG) Secretary
General Mciniseli Vilakati.
PUDEMO Stalwart Mphandlana Shongwe, also spoke at the
petition delivery event, saying he was not happy that the embassy had not taken
a strong position about the killing of people last year. “Even as people
continue to die, we have not heard your voice. One of the duties of the embassy
is to stand up for the defenceless people. We are those people,” he
said. SWALIMO Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo said he was aware that Taiwan
had played a major role in fighting against poverty, but said its silent position
on the political situation was not welcome. Tsuei said “Thanks for your
petition. Your voice has been heard. I will present this petition to Taiwan and
the Eswatini government.” On a similar note, the petitioners told the EU
Embassy: “State resources, and to a larger extent Europe Taxpayer´s money, is
used to buy arms and pay personnel that killed and maimed our people. Some of
these resources continue, to be used on the arson of political parties’ leaders
and members’ property. As we march, our people live in fear and uncertainties
about an imminent civil war.”
They alleged that Europe Taxpayer´s money was being
used to buy arms and pay personnel ‘that killed and maimed our
people’. Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said it was a lie that
the helicopters were used against citizens of the country. “We have a long
standing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) which dates
as far back as the Era of His Majesty King Sobhuza II. His Majesty King Mswati
III, has taken the diplomatic relations between these two States to another
level of mutual respect and benefits. “It is naive and dangerous to think
that helicopters are used against citizens of this country. Show me one example
wherein, the helicopters were used against citizens and I will show you 10
examples of where the helicopters were used for the safety and protection of
the country’s population,” he said.
Civil
unrest erupts as gunmen execute member of royal guard
Bernama, 5
November 2022
MANZINI: Unknown gunmen executed a guard Friday and forced him to make a
video that demanded King Mswati III of Eswatini institute democratic reforms.
The guard, Mbongseni Dlamini, was a member of the Royal Guard stationed
at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace.
In the video posted on social media, Dlamini tells Mswati that citizens
want democracy and that as officers of the crown, they are being executed.
“I’ve been kidnapped by the ground forces that want democracy. We are
dying here. I also urge police, soldiers and warders to stop violence against
civilians. People want democracy,” he was quoted as saying by Anadolu Agency.
Mswati unleashed the force of security officers, including guards, who
killed more than 100 civilians -- mostly youth.
The killing of security of officers in ambushes has become common in the
kingdom since unrest in 2021 when residents went on rampages and burned trucks,
tires and looted shops on main roads.
Late Thursday, officers manning the Matsapha police station, had to take
cover as gunmen fired bullets at duty officers.
In a separate incident in Kwaluseni, the home of Matsapha MP Sibusiso
Dlamini was allegedly attacked by gunmen who fired bullets at the house,
forcing him and his family to hide and lie on their stomachs to avoid being
shot.
Director of Communications at the King’s Office, Percy Simelane, said
law enforcement agencies will bring the culprits to account.
“To contain any form of lawlessness or criminality, we will continue to
use legal means. Intelligence will continue to tell us who to bring to book.
Some elements have already been booked,” said Simelane.
But Simelane maintained that Eswatini is a democracy with one of the
best electoral systems in the world where the decision of voters is final.
“In this country, we the people, nominate and vote into parliament our
representation as opposed to situations where party leaders around the world
impose themselves on the electorate,” he said.
Since the June 2021 unrest, Mswati has not shown a commitment to talks.
At the 42nd Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit of
heads of state in August, in Kinshasa, Congo, the group said it will set up a
team to look into the Eswatini crisis, where pro-democracy groups are calling
for the abdication of Mswati after the killing of civilians by security forces.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said SADC will set up a
fact-finding mission on Eswatini and send a panel of elders to find effective
ways to deal with the situation. - Bernama
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