Swaziland
Newsletter No. 753 – 18 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.
Public
transport back today after 5 workers released
By
Stanley Khumalo, Times of eSwatini, 17 November 2022
MANZINI: After two days without public
transport, buses and kombis will be transporting the public as of Thursday (17
November 2022).
The public transport workers
had last rendered their services on Monday as on Tuesday, they boycotted in
support of a call for the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs)
legislators Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza. However, on Tuesday
evening, following a spate of encounters between the public transport workers
and security personnel, the latter communicated that they would not resume
their duties on Wednesday (yesterday).
Instead, they had reported
that they would use the day to search for their members, who were taken by law
enforcers at Mpaka to Siteki Police Station, while also searching for those who
were injured and or shot by the security personnel. Yesterday, the public
transport workers reported that they would resume their duties today. A public
notice by Swaziland Transport and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) said:
“Following release of all detained transport workers by State forces, transport
operations shall be restored on this 17th day of November 2022. Transport
workers still call for the release of incarcerated MPs NOT later than this
December 2022 (sic).”
Chairperson
of SWATCAWU Manzini branch Maqhawe Rasta Mamba, said their
decision to return to work followed that their colleagues who were taken by law
enforcers at Mpaka to Siteki Police Station were released. This was also
confirmed by the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer,
Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, who said the five people who were taken by
the police were released on Tuesday night.Meanwhile, Mamba said they had also
learnt that one of their colleagues was shot and was currently recuperating at
the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, while another was assaulted,
allegedly by soldiers.
He said despite that they would
be resuming operations today; they would, at 9am, convene a meeting to discuss
certain issues. Among these issues, he said, was that their colleague who was
shot on Tuesday at or near Ticantfwini was travelling with an accomplice, whose
whereabouts remained unknown The accomplice, Mamba said, was also allegedly
shot.“After the meeting we shall visit our member in hospital to get details
about the person he was travelling with and seek to locate him,” he said.
In light of these
developments, Chairperson of the National Road Transport Council (NRTC) Magesi
Dlamini confirmed that services of the public transport sector would be
restored today. He apologised profusely to the public for the inconvenience
they endured in the past two days. Dlamini said as the NRTC, they would meet
with the different associations to forge a way forward in order to ensure that
such a challenge did not recur in the near future. He acknowledged that
the boycotting of duties by workers of the sector had ripple repercussions to the
owners, which were attested to by Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA)
National General Secretary, Ambrose Dlamini.
Ambrose said the impromptu
disruption of services by the public transport workers was a threat to their
employment, as it created a shortfall in generated revenue. This, in turn,
he said brought a challenge to the entrepreneurs of the sector as they had
commitments, which included settling debts incurred when funding the
procurement of the public service vehicles and also salaries. He also
elaborated that the transport sector was the backbone of the economy, as it was
relied upon for productivity and when such happened, it meant that every
operation was halted. Furthermore, the South African Transport and Allied
Workers Union (SATAWU) yesterday pledged its support and solidarity for
SWATCAWU, which is also an affiliate to the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland
Union and the International Transport Workers Federation.
SATAWU said: “It is very
saddening and unfortunate that transport workers are being physically harassed,
beaten, kidnapped, and humiliated by soldiers in the country.” SATAWU, in
a statement said, SWATCAWU was fighting for better working conditions, against
human rights abuse and the release of prisoners who were also MPs. The union
also condemned the shooting of the public transport workers. SATAWU said the
shootings were anti-human and a violation of human rights as SWATCAWU members
did nothing wrong and it was unusual for taking it to the streets for their
demands. This, it said, was in fact a democracy to engage in.
A
quiet Tuesday
eSwatini
Observer, 16 November 2022
The planned protest action in support of
the incarcerated legislators at the High Court resulted in yesterday not being
an ordinary day as people stayed away from work.
This was despite government stating that
all workers should report to work as it was a normal working day and further
assured that security measures had been put in place to ensure the public’s
safety.
The assurance, however, did not convince
transport operators and businesses alike to open for business as shops remained
closed while public transport was unavailable throughout the country.
Government offices also remained closed as
civil servants stayed at home despite the no-work, no-pay principle.
Schools were also forced to send pupils back home due to the uncertainty of the
protest.
Describing the situation in towns,
Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) E.Nathi Dlamini, who gave an
eyewitness account said after yesterday businesses would record losses due to
the unintended closure.
Meanwhile, heavy police presence at the
High Court and roadblocks mounted across the country resulted in the protest
not being successful.
This was despite that different political
formations and unions had urged their members through various social media
platforms to meet at the High Court to show support to the MPs. Public
transport workers through their union had stated that transport would be
provided for people going to join the protest at the High Court.
However, those who were suspected to be
part of the protesters were immediately turned back and not allowed to remain
within the High Court vicinity by the police.
At about 9:30am yesterday a group of about
30 men who were passing by the ministry of public works and transport were
turned back as they made their way to the court.
Former Deputy Senate President, Ngomuyayona Gamedze, also had a hard time
getting into the High Court as he was prevented from entering.
Gamedze’s attempt at reasoning with the
officers at the main gate was unsuccessful as he was denied entry.
However, some were allowed entry as they were spotted sitting with some
legislators, who had come to support their colleagues.
Military state: Mswati’s soldiers block pro-democracy
Multi-Stakeholders Forum's community dialogue.
By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 12
November, 2022
BUHLENI: King
Mswati allegedly deployed his soldiers to block a community dialogue organized by
the pro-democracy Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF) at Buhleni on Saturday.
Reached for
comments, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the MSF Chairperson confirmed
that soldiers were deployed to stop the community dialogue.
“When we arrived
at Buhleni, we found armed soldiers and we were told by the Police Station
Commander that the authorities ordered that the community dialogue must be
stopped. When we asked the police why the soldiers were deployed, we didn’t
receive clear answers. This is a clear indication that this Government is not
committed to participate in a political dialogue,” said the MSF Chairperson.
A questionnaire
was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, however,
she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
King Mswati
unleashed his soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians,
the King subsequently refused to participate in a political dialogue.
The disruption
of the MSF community dialogue at Buhleni by the army comes after Government
Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo criticized Members of Parliament (MPs) for
resolving to engage the pro-democracy movement to discuss possible ways of
engaging in a dialogue.
March against mini-skirts ban: Tear gas, shots fired
By Phiwase Phungwayo, Times of Eswatini (print
edition), 14 November 2022
MANZINI: A march
by women activists supposedly meant to be peaceful at Lwandle turned violent as
gunshots and tear gas were fired by security forces to disperse the crowd.
On Saturday around
noon, women from various formations convened at Lwandle, a distance away from
Chief Nkamane’s residence to demonstrate against the ban of wearing of
mini-skirts and bum shots, only to be met by members of the Royal Eswatini
Police Service (REPS), who barricaded the road leading to the chief’s
residence.
The march was
organised by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Women’s League,
which was supported by other formations such as the Economic Freedom Fighters
(EFF) Swaziland and Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).
The women
activists were also joined by some male supporters from political
organisations. The march to the chiefdom at Lwandle follows an alleged
announcement by Chief Nkamane banning the wearing of pants and make up by women
of the area, since the Incwala Ceremony was soon approaching.
It should be noted
that the banning of mini-skirts, pants, as well as make-up is usually done in
chiefdoms in the country as soon as preparations for the Incwala Ceremony
begin. Also, men are usually advised against wearing shorts.
The water regiment
(Bemanti) are responsible for demanding penalties, usually in the form of
money, from those who are found to have not complied. Meanwhile, during the
march, the women activists parked the transport they were travelling in at a
distance from the chief’s residence at Lwandle, with the aim to alight and walk
there, since officers of the law had blocked the road with their vehicles. As
they walked, the police officers requested to engage the leaders. As the
discussion was facilitated, an Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) Quantum
arrived and went past the marchers and parked at a distance.
The women
activists explained that they wanted to enter the chief’s residence to
demonstrate after his statement on the women’s dress code. The police officers
warned the marchers against entering the premises and said they were
prohibited. In turn, the marchers requested the officers of the law to get them
a representative from inside the chief’s residence to communicate with.
The police
officers went to consult from their colleagues and during this period, another
vehicle from OSSU and a van approached. The police officers dispersed the crowd
with gunshots. The marchers ran off and while they boarded their vehicles, tear
gas was fired.
When the marchers
got outside Lwandle along the tarred road, they regrouped. A van with some
soldiers arrived and gunshots were fired gun shots. The crowd took off and got
to Ngwane Park where they settled.
SWAYOCO Women’s
League Vice President Palesa Dlamini said although the banning of pants and
make-up was a norm, it did not mean it was right and should be accepted.
“The fact that it
has been going on for a long time is wrong, so we can rise against injustice
any time because telling people what to wear is wrong,’’ Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, Chief
Nkamane’s Secretary Lucky Mkhatshwa, said the marchers did not get to the
umphakatsi as they were dispersed before they got there. Mkhatshwa explained
that it was quite the norm for the chiefdom to issue certain rules before the
commencement of the Incwala Ceremony.
“There are certain
dos and don’ts that we are expected to adhere to. The chief was simply doing
that, reminding his people of the things that are not supposed to be done,” he
said.
The chief’s
secretary requested not to expand on the matter as the marchers did not get to
the umphakatsi. However, he stated that the people belonged to the King and in
the event that they came, they would be welcomed by the chief.
When reached for
comment, Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho
Mnguni said the police were deployed at the chiefdom to maintain order, as per
their duty to respond when they were called. Mnguni said there were no injuries
reported.
Exams in eSwatini postponed ahead of planned protests
BBC, 16 November 2022
Eswatini has postponed
school-leaving for English and Siswati language exams to December, the
education ministry has announced.
It is believed the exams
were postponed due to pro-democracy protests planned for Tuesday morning (15
November 2022).
Eswatini, Africa's last
absolute monarchy, has been rocked by waves of protests since June last year as
demonstrators call for major constitutional reforms that will allow them to
elect their own leaders.
Acting Prime Minister Themba
Masuku told a press conference on Monday that the government was not taking
lightly threats of mass protest action.
He said protests “have the
potential to destroy lives, property and the economy, all of which require
utmost protection”.
"There are processes to
be followed whenever there are constitutional amendments to be made," Mr
Masuku added.
Kidnapped
3 SWAYOCO members released
By
Nontobeko Dvuba, Swati Newsweek, 16 November 2022
MBABANE: Three (3) SWAYOCO
MEMBERS were kidnapped by soldiers yesterday morning.
SWAYOCO Secretary General
Nkanyezi Nkalivasi Vilakati confirmed the matter through an interview with this
publication.
“Indeed our 3 members were
abducted by King Mswati’s soldiers around 9:30am at Ludzeludze shopping
complex. Sanele Sthole Ludzeludze SWAYOCO branch Chairperson, Mpendulo Sithole
Recruitment Secretary and Dlamini Senanelo were both heavily assaulted by
soldiers at Boyane Barrack and later released around 1400 hrs they are still
here at RFM hospital where the health practitioners are determining the
magnitude of the injuries they sustained during torture.
“As Swaziland Youth Congress,
we unequivocally condemn the criminal elements dominating EUDF,” Vilakati said.
Cops,
Army social media warning
eSwatini
Observer, 17 November 2022
MBABANE: The Royal Eswatini Police Service
(REPS) and Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) have warned the nation against
posting sensitive and misleading information on social media, which perpetrate
violence.
The safety and security institutions said
some of the information shared on social media was malicious and designed to
mislead the nation and sow unrest.
Both the army and police raised concerns
about the safety of police and soldiers, who they said were at risk of being
attacked as a result of misleading and insensitive information.
National Commissioner of Police (NatCom),
William Dlamini, warned the public to be wary of people who perpetuate their
agenda of entrenching anarchy in the country using social media.
Dlamini was reacting to reports on
Facebook, suggesting that some police officers were aligned with certain
activities amid the political tensions experienced in the country.
The police chief noted with concern these
malicious circulating reports on social media, particularly Facebook, stating
that such information was not only misleading but designed to sow discord thus
exposing the implicated officers to risks.
REPS has lost a number of officers in
recent times through shootings by unknown people while in their line of duty.
“There are accounts that publish
misleading information, aligning police officers with certain activities. This
information is not only misleading but aims to sow discord and exposes the
implicated officers to risks. The REPS condemns such acts in the strongest
possible terms as the information being circulated is untrue and only meant to
instigate violence against the officers,” Dlamini stated.
The NatCom further stated that the posts
on social media were merely a strategy against police officers perpetrated by
those with ulterior motives as the named officers were not part of the detailed
battalion on the day in question. This comes after posts were published on
social media platforms suggesting that there were undercover police officers
and soldiers targeting citizens.
In another post, the identity of a police officer who is alleged to have fired
a teargas canister into a bus carrying people during the political unrest last
year was revealed.
“We appeal to members of the public to
exercise reasoning and refrain from entertaining baseless rumours and
instructions that carry a malicious intent towards members of the police
service,” he said.
Dlamini said officers were not the enemy
but were servants of the public who worked towards fulfilling their
constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order while fostering safety and
security of the nation.
UEDF Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant
Tengetile Khumalo cautioned the nation against misusing social media platforms
to perpetrate violence against some members of the army.
Khumalo said this was through posting
inaccurate information such as the identities of the soldiers presumed to be
present during certain operations.
She said it had come to their attention
that certain miscreant individuals took advantage of the current situation by
misusing social media to perpetrate violence against some members of the UEDF
because of personal differences. This she said had been observed on various
occasions.
“There is a tendency of spreading untrue
identification of the soldiers during a particular operation for reason known
to them,” she said.
Khumalo said pictures of their members
were posted, untruthfully, associated and aligned with serious accusations,
among others, of shooting incidents while the implicated soldiers were not part
of that particular day’s operation.
She said one recent incident involved a
soldier identified as Dlamini, who as a result had been exposed to danger by
the perpetrators.
Khumalo said Dlamini was currently at the
training battalion, who on the day like all the others carried on with his
duties and there was totally no way he could have then been deployed to the
Mbabane operation last Thursday.
“On another note, it is equally imperative
and noted with great concernment also to caution Emaswati on those who
masquerade as soldiers and deployed by the EUDF on particular operations in
full gazetted army gear,” she said.
Khumalo said recently, as reported by one
of the local newspapers, certain suspects were nabbed by one law enforcement
agency in possession of the stolen army camouflage uniform, which is suspected
to have been abused among other gains for illicit practices.
“Having said that, the UEDF strongly
condemns such inappropriate deportment which shall result in the law taking its
course in criminality of this nature as intense investigations are ongoing,”
said Khumalo.
Further, she said it should be noted that
it was a criminal offence to be found in possession of the army uniform if one
was not a member of the establishment.
Khumalo said the UEDF reassure of its commitment to defend and protect the
Kingdom of Eswatini, its people and national sovereignty.
SA
heavyweights turn down local gigs
By
Nombuso Dlamini, Times of eSwatini, 16 November 2022
MBABANE: Promoters have raised their concern over the current political tension in Eswatini, which has resulted in some artists turning down event offers.
As the festive season is upon us, most fun lovers are anticipating a serious
fun-filled season, but given the current political state, it seems to be a
distant dream. Various event promoters have revealed that they have
cancelled events they anticipated to host this festive season, because of
international artists who are flagged by the political uncertainty in the
kingdom. DJ Speedsta, Yung Swiss, Gigi, and Nasty C are among the South
African artists who were supposed to come to the kingdom over the festive
season, but have allegedly turned down offers because of the security
uncertainty in Eswatini.
The kingdom has been going
through political tension from June 2021. The immediate alleged cause of
the protests was when three pro-democracy Members of Parliament (MPs) advocated
for the introduction of a more democratic system. In addition, the death
of a university student under mysterious circumstances in May led to suspicions
that the police had allegedly killed him. Subsequent protests at that
time, which were supported by opposition legislators also led to a state of
preexisting tension. The first protests took place on June 20, when
the youth in the Manzini Region went through a village shouting political
slogans and calling for the right to a democratically chosen prime
minister. They blocked roads and set tires on fire. Police reacted
to these demonstrations by deploying stun grenades and firing live bullets,
leading to protesters retaliating by throwing stones and the likes.
The protests spread and
escalated into violence on June 25, in most towns such as Msunduza township,
near Mbabane, as demonstrators ‘clashed’ with police and stores were looted and
torched. As thousands of people delivered petitions to tinkhundla
authorities, who are democratically appointed in a ‘devolved’ system, the
government stopped them from being delivered, raising controversy from the
national teachers union and leading to further tension.
The current situation has raised anxiousness among people, because of the rising arson attacks, shootings and the likes between unknown people and soldiers. This has affected many businesses even the entertainment sector. Promoters have shared that they were worried about the events they were planning, also on how they would go about calling people out of the comfort and safety of their homes to the unknown. The mentioned artists had been approached for shows in the kingdom and they chose not to respond on why they did not take the offers. An artist who chose to remain anonymous through a local event promoter shared that they as artists had various reasons for turning down the offers and why they couldn’t speak up.
“As an artist in South Africa, I’m not really invested in what is happening in
other countries, until I am invited.
“We can’t walk blindly into a
situation where one could essentially be unsafe and I can’t say ‘hey Eswatini
your country isn’t safe’ because I would be boycotted for having an opinion
that concerns me,” was a view from one of the artists. For safety reasons,
all the interviewed parties won’t be revealed but are known by this
publication, to avoid prejudice from the public. Most promoters mentioned
how they were not going to risk people’s lives all in the name of fun, but it
was something that was seriously affecting their means of income and a business
that had been revived after the COVID -19 pandemic.
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