Swaziland
Newsletter No. 758 – 30 December 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.
SFDF
leader abducted from home, shot dead in forest
By Sibusiso Zwane, Times of eSwatini, 29
December 2022
NTONDOZI: Swazis First Democratic Front deputy
secretary general Muzi Mmema was snatched in front of his wife and four
children and shot dead, in a forest, which is about 20km away from his home.
Three of the four children are his biological
offspring. According to a source close to the matter, the deputy secretary
general (DSG) of the newly-formed Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF) was
snatched by four unknown men who were travelling in a white foreign registered
Ford Ranger double cab, just after 7pm on Tuesday, at his home in Ntondozi in
the Manzini Region. The source said Mmema was from watching soccer matches
- festive tournament at Ntondozi Sports Ground. He was at one of the
neighbouring homesteads when he saw the aforementioned vehicle by his home and
rushed there to attend to it.
When the car arrived at the deceased political
activist’s home, who was also a businessman in the micro-lending sector; the
occupants purportedly opened its bonnet as if it had mechanical faults or was
overheating. Thereafter, they reportedly asked for water from Mmema’s children,
who were playing in the yard. While Mmema’s children were fetching the
water to give to the unknown men, who turned to be the killers of their father,
the political activist arrived where the car was parked. Immediately when he
arrived, the unknown men bundled him into their vehicle and he yelled for help
by shouting inyandzaleyo as the unknown men were supposedly overpowering him.
When his wife and children rushed towards where the
car had been parked, they saw Mmema wrestling with the unknown men, who were
forcing him into their vehicle and they sped off, towards KaNdinda and that was
the last time they saw him alive. In the morning, his lifeless body was
discovered by people who were passing by. The forest, which is next to the road
to Sidvokodvo (about 20km from his home) and members of the Royal Eswatini
Police Service (REPS), who attended to the matter, went with some of his family
members to the scene, where they identified him. The deceased’s farther,
Linda (Mmema), confirmed that his son was snatched by four men who had parked
their car by his home and asked for water from his children. He said at home,
there were the deceased person’s wife and four children.
He said the matter was reported to the police and the
law enforcers came to his home to record statements. Thereafter, he said they
promised to investigate the matter. Afterwards, he said the law enforcers
returned to give them feedback that they had found the body of his son in a
forest, along the road to Sidvokodvo and they invited them to the scene for
identification purposes. “We found his body and it had a bullet wound on
the left side of the chest – close to the heart. He had some bruises on the
neck, but we believe he sustained them when he was wrestling with the men, who
forced him into their car,” the deceased’s father said.
In that regard, he said they believed that the cause
of death was the gunshot wound to the left side of his son’s chest. When
he was asked if there was anything the deceased had said to them, which might
make them have a suspect in mind, he said they neither knew who killed his son
nor why he was murdered. “We have not heard anything that suggests that he
might have had enemies or arguments with certain people or organisations,” the
grieving father added. He said what they heard was how he was snatched by
the unknown men and what the police had told them regarding the discovery of
his body. Mmema is one of the former members of the Swaziland Liberation
Movement (SWALIMO), who joined the newly-formed SFDF. In fact, at SWALIMO, he
was Manzini district organising secretary.
To read more of this report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/138193-mmema-abducted-from-home-shot-dead-in-forest.html
By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland
News, 28 December, 2022
MBABANE:
Bonginkhosi ‘IB’ Dlamini, the Convenor of the United Eswatini Diaspora (UED)
says Swazis must apprehend those who killed political activist Muzi Mmema so
that they could be killed.
Police
Spokesperson Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the death of the
political activist to the media on Wednesday morning.
Mmema,
a vibrant political activist was the Deputy Secretary General of the newly
formed Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF), he was abducted at Ntontozi on
Tuesday evening and found executed on Wednesday.
“In
honour of Muzi Mmema who was active in the struggle, as Swazis we must find
those who killed him and kill them too. By so doing, Mmema will know even in
his grave that his fellow comrades are fighting for him,” said the Convenor of
the United Eswatini Diaspora.
PUDEMO leaders visit
family, mourn death of Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF) Deputy Secretary
General Muzi Mmema
By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland
News, 28 December, 2022
MBABANE: Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s
United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has, on behalf of the political
organization, released a statement, mourning the death of Swazis First
Democratic Front(SFDF) Muzi Mmema who allegedly killed by Mswati’s State
agents.
On Wednesday afternoon, a PUDEMO delegation led by National
Organizing Secretary (NOS) Panuel Malinga and Youth League President Sakhile
‘Awviva’ Nxumalo visited the Mmema family at Ntontozi to mourn the death of the
political activist.
“PUDEMO and the entire movement of the oppressed is shell
shocked, devastated and transfixed to have received the very sad news of the
broad daylight murder of cde Muzi Mmema by the State agents after an abduction
a few days ago at his home in Ntontozi outside Manzini city,” reads the
statement released by the political party.
The political organization then sent words of condolences to
SFDF President Busie Mayisela, her entire leadership and members.
“We wish to pass our words of condolences to comrade President
Busie and your entire leadership and membership. Please don't despair no matter
this spine chilling heinous act of cowardice by this vile vipers and cold
blooded scoundrels. The blood spilled will not be in vain but shall nourish the
tree of our freedom as Cde Solomon Kalusha Mahlangu said these words before the
gallows of the apartheid murderous hit squad after which tinkhundla is
certainly coping. To the family and friends remain steadfast and know that your
child has died for the correct course because he stood for it and was ready to
stand to the beater end without selling his course for any cheap material gain
nor instant fame for nothing.Once again condolences to SFDF Mmema family and
the entire oppressed masses of our people,” reads the statement in part.
PM’s
escort vehicle shot
By
Sibusiso Zwane, Times of eSwatini, 28 December 2022
MANZINI: Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini’s escort vehicle
was shot at three times while at Mhlaleni on Monday.
The officer who was driving
the vehicle had to speed away to the Matsapha Police Station with two flat
tyres. The incident took place in broad daylight, at around
1pm. According to a source close to the matter, the PM’s escort vehicle -
a Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab, was travelling two police officers, who form
part of the premier’s security detail when the incident took place.
He said the officers had gone
to refuel at the Ngonini Operational Support Service Unit (OSSU). He said
when the car was about to join the MR3 Public Road at Mhlaleni underpass
(bridge), unknown gunmen fired several shots at the vehicle and three of them
hit the tyres - on the left side.
“It is suspected that the
shooters had positioned themselves at the market stalls which are on the left
side of the road,” the source said. He said it was believed that the
gunmen had two expectations when they were shooting at the PM’s escort vehicle;
that it would either stop or overturn and they would get a clear chance to
shoot the occupants (officers).
... vehicle speeds off with 2 flat tyres, backup called
MATSAPHA: The officer said
during the shooting, the driver sped off despite the fact that both left tyres
had been shot and were flat. He said the PM’s escort vehicle was driven at
high speed to Matsapha Police Station and none of the officers were injured during
the shooting. Along the way, the source said the officers also called
their colleagues from Matsapha Police Station to report the incident and asked
for backup.
He said when they arrived at
the police station, they found a team of armed police officers and they went to
the scene together with their colleagues from the Scenes of Crime Department,
who collected evidence. However, he said when the officers arrived at the
scene, there was no sign of the shooters and no one seemed to have a clue on
which direction they had taken. Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that a police
car was shot at Mhlaleni on Monday.
eSwatini opposition parties, civil society
meet in SA to plot strategy against King Mswati
By Lenin Ndebele, News 24, 21 December 2022
Civil society and opposition
parties in Eswatini met in South Africa last week to discuss and
adopt a strategy aimed at achieving the abdication of King Mswati III and
turning the monarchy into a democracy.
The Mass Democratic Movement
(MDM), under the Swaziland Multi-Stakeholder Forum, adopted the eBundu Declaration
at a two-day gathering in Mbombela in Mpumalanga.
Named after the lodge where
the meeting was held, the group said the declaration was aimed at making “resolutions
on important political issues affecting our country, Swaziland”.
The opposition and civil
society in Eswatini still refer to the country as Swaziland.
They view the name change by
King Mswati as a dictatorial tendency similar to that of Mobutu Sese Seko, who
renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Zaire in 1971.
They said they were
reaffirming their fight to break down the monarchy in Eswatini in the spirit of
those that died in 2022 during mass riots in the country.
“(We are) humbled and driven
forward by the spirit of the ultimate sacrifice of the martyrs of our
revolution, who have been senselessly and brutally slaughtered by the
government of King Mswati III.
“Galvanised by the radical
energy and determination of young people, and catapulted by the spirit
displayed by our people in various activities and during the recent shutdowns
led by our transport operators in collaboration with the Mass Democratic
Movement,”read their resolution document.
Their
declarations included:
A call on all
"progressive forces" within the MDM to unify and continue the task of
liberating the people of Eswatini
Reaffirming their position
of not participating in the 2023 Tinkhundla elections and the adoption of an
anti-election campaign that will guide all anti-election activities
Convening a Solidarity
Conference in 2023 to garner support for the struggle of the people of Eswatini
A call for the public to
take to the streets
A call for the unconditional
release of all political prisoners and the safe and unconditional return of all
exiles
Continuing to call for the
alienation of King Mswati, the royal family and the Eswatini government
at all regional and international forums to prevent them from being
recognised as the legitimate authority of the country
Elections are expected to be
held in Eswatini next year. Tinkhundla is an electoral system that serves as a
form of governance, based on traditional, administrative subdivisions.
Eswatini has 55 Tinkhundlas
in its four districts. There are 14 in Hhohho, 11 in Lubombo, 16 in Manzini,
and 14 in Shiselweni.
The call by civil society
and the opposition for a boycott of the elections is not unique to Eswatini.
Last week, an election boycott in Tunisia resulted in an 8.8% voter turnout,
which attracted international attention as calls for President Kais Saied to
step down gained momentum.
eSwatini
not threatened by political formations’
By Mbono Mdluli,
eSwatini Observer, 27 December 2022
Eswatini is not threatened by political formations and their resolutions
against His Majesty King MswatiIII and the government of Eswatini. King’s
Office Director of Communications Percy Simelane said there was no reason for
him to think any officer in the country could have sleepless nights because of
threatsmade by political formations.
Simelane was responding to resolutions taken by political formations and
civic society groups to put pressure on Eswatini to effect political reforms
can
take place in the country.
The resolution was taken at a conference held at eBundu Lodge in
Mbombela, South Africa. “We are aware of the behind-the-scenes operations by
political formations, but I do not believe anyone in leadership is losing any
sleep over such threats,” Simelane said. He said they had therefore, chose to
play their cards close to their chests when it came to such matters. The King’s
Office’s mouthpiece said what he could firmly say was that Eswatini
was a democracy, with one of the best electoral systems where the voters’ decision
was final.
“We, the people, freely nominate and vote into Parliament our representation,
as opposed to situations where party leaders impose themselves on the
electorate,” he said. He said the international community knows that Eswatini
is a democratic countryhence its affiliation to various global formations. He
said the country’s
Constitution was considered as one of the best in the world and assured that
they would continue to defend it.
“To any normal thinking person, defending the Constitution is a noble
undertaking for a noble cause,” he said.According to News24, civil society and
opposition parties in Eswatini met in South Africa last week to discuss and
adopt a strategy aimed at turning the country into a democracy. The Mass
Democratic Movement (MDM), under the Swaziland Multi- Stakeholder Forum,
adopted the eBundu Declaration at a two-day gathering in Mbombela in
Mpumalanga. They said they were reaffirming their fight to break down the
monarchy in the spirit of those that died during mass. “Galvanised by the
radical energy and determination of young people, and catapulted by the spirit
displayed by our people in various activities and during the recent shutdowns
led by our transport operators in collaboration with the Mass Democratic
Movement,” reads the resolution document.
It is not a brilliant idea to boycott tinkhundla
elections - pro-democracy priest Vilakati
By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek 29 December, 2022
MBABANE: Apostle Bheki
Vilakati believes pro-democracy activists should join the tinkhundla elections.
Vilakati said, “Speaking from
my view point. I think people must understand what is tinkhundla.
“Tinkhundla is not elections
but a system that the absolute monarch is using to govern this country
according to section 79 of the Constitution. Elections is an activity of the
tinkundla system so that means everyone in the three arms of government is
working for the system. If that is the case, why are all these people told to
boycott the elections their work is are supporting the regime.
He said, "It is therefore
not a brilliant idea to boycott the other and support the other activities of
the tinkhundla system. That is when our mandate should be to Change the system
not activities within the system. Boycotting elections under tinkhundla will
not change the system of government.”
Vilakati said progressive
people should be in Parliament to have an impact.
“This is like when you want to
make a u-turn of a car. It is not the person who turns the other direction
inside the car but the steering wheel which calls for you to be inside the car
as it not possible to turn it while you are outside only toys can be driven
with a driver outside. If you want to stop a moving car, you simply apply
brakes and the car will stop. Avoiding (boycotting) brakes pedals means the car
will continue to move."
He
concluded,"Mathematically, if we put 59 progressive people in Parliament
as members automatically the executive will be pro-democracy ministers and will
be having a voice and power. So boycotting the elections we are allowing the
regime to be in Power for a long period. Nine nifuna kutjelwa konkhe."
Swaziland
transport workers’ leader remains defiant despite threats from King’s Deputy Prime
Minister
By Pavan Kulkarni, Peoples
Dispatch, 19 December 2022
Swaziland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku has threatened to imprison Sticks Nkambule, union leader of transport workers who once again brought the country to a halt on December 13 and 14 by staying home and not reporting to work.
Masuku – who like other
ministers is not elected, but appointed directly by King Mswati III – said that
his government had secured an interdict against the strike action from the
court, whose judges, Sticks points out, are also appointed by Mswati.
With all political parties
banned, some members of parliament (MPs) are directly appointed by the King,
while others are chosen by vote from among a narrow list of individuals who are
vetted and approved by his local chiefs.
However, the grip on power of
Africa’s last absolute monarch has become increasingly slippery since last
year, when his southern African Kingdom, which he has renamed Eswatini, was
rocked by unprecedented country-wide pro-democracy protests.
Over 70 were killed and
hundreds were injured by the police and army to put down an uprising that
erupted in the industrial areas, with attacks on king’s properties, after his
security forces used violence to disperse peaceful rallies aimed at submitting
demands to the MPs.
Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and
Mthandeni Dube, two MPs who had come out in support of these demands, which
included multi-party democracy, have since been imprisoned.
Calling for their release and
reiterating the demands for democratization, the Swaziland Transport
Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), had already led strike
actions for two weeks in October, and another four days in November.
Several members of this union,
which represents over 3,000 of the roughly 5,000 transport workers in the small
land-locked country, were shot, abducted, and tortured by security forces
during the action in November.
The union’s general secretary
who is now threatened with imprisonment, Sticks Nkambule, had explained at the
time that the workers are raising a political demand for democracy because they
know that the “decent wages and labor rights” cannot be secured under a
monarchy. “If the MPs are not released during their next hearing in court in
December, we will paralyze the state with another strike,” he had told Peoples
Dispatch.
While the mobilization for
this strike was underway, Sticks was summoned by the Police National
Commissioner, William Dlamini. At the police headquarters, where Sticks
presented himself for an “interview” with the commissioner on December 7, he
was interrogated about organizational details. “They were basically trying to
intimidate and convince me to withdraw the strike that was planned for the 13th
and 14th. I refused,” he said.
In the meantime, “they had
also sent armed police officials to my mother’s house,” which is located on the
outskirts of Manzini, while Sticks resides in the capital city, Mbabane. “I am
not staying with my mother, and they know that. They went to her home with guns
and told her their boss was looking for me and they had come to provide
transport” to the police headquarters, he said, calling it “an act of
intimidation and harassment.”
When the union remained
defiant, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku – who is also the Acting Prime
Minister and the cabinet’s chairperson – made an appeal to the employers on
December 10. He reminded them that
“transport owners would be the biggest losers in this action since the other
stakeholders in this shameful act,” i.e the workers, “do not own any vehicles
or anything at all. They have no investments here, except disruption.”
Such unconcealed display of
contempt for the working class and an open appeal to the employers to carry out
a class struggle against the workers is not common, and marks “a new level of
desperation,” Pius Vilakati, International Secretary of the Communist Party of
Swaziland (CPS), told Peoples Dispatch.
“While the government could in
the past always rely on the employers to threaten the workers with expulsions
and so on,” it has now lost their support too, Pius said. “Things have now gone
so bad that it is not just working-class interests at stake. Even running a
business is becoming unviable. Interests of the national business-persons,
including in the transport sector, have been badly affected, partly because the
royal family itself intends to enter the transport business” by plying “their
own private buses,” he said.
“In the past, you find that
the workers struggled for higher pay, and against harassment by the police and
so on, today we find that the demands of the workers are political, and are
resonating also with the employers in Swaziland,” Pius explained, adding
that more and more employers are now joining in the national voice for
democracy
This conjecture, he adds, has
been the result of “years of revolutionary work” – culminating in last year’s
country-wide uprising – which has convinced the employers that the monarchy
cannot govern the country, and businesses cannot flourish in this unstable
environment.
Mlungisi Makhanya, President
of People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), among the largest of the
country’s political parties, told Peoples Dispatch, “We are
currently witnessing the broadest of fronts in the struggle,” which includes
the middle class and small businesses.
Faced with this
anti-monarchist alliance of the cross-section of Swazi society, the larger
domestic and foreign businesses in the country have also begun to distance
themselves from the monarchy, he said.
“We come from a past where a
mere mentioning of your association with the King used to gain you mileage” for
the business. “But now,” Mlungisi explained, “we are in an era where a mere
suspicion of association with the King will bring misery” to one’s business.
So several businesses have
been issuing unsolicited statements denying any association with the King or
royal family. This has rattled the government to the extent that its
spokespersons have taken to complaining about it in the media.
Unable, in this backdrop, to
convince the employers to take action against the workers, Themba, instructed all
the shops, businesses, schools and commercial establishments to remain open,
promising that the state will provide its own buses.
“Less than a hundred or so
workers came to the depots in each town. But there was no transport. People
were very angry. There was serious pandemonium in the country,” SWATCAWU
general secretary Sticks Nkambule said.
The insufficient number of
buses that were provided were driven, reportedly without
public driving permits, by soldiers and police who collided one of the buses
head-on with a passenger vehicle, killing a foreign tourist.
To read more of this
report, click here
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