Swaziland Newsletter No. 771 – 31 March 2023

 

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 771 – 31 March 2023

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.

There is political will to host dialogue – US

By Bodwa Mbingo, eSwatini Observer, 25 March 2023

SOURCE

 

The United States of America (USA) has noted a political will to hold a national dialogue from all stakeholders, particularly His Majesty King Mswati III, civil society and other actors, within the country in a year when national elections will be held.

US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS), Bureau of African Affairs, Robert Scott in a digital press roundtable organised by the Africa Regional Media Hub yesterday, told the media that everybody he met with while in the country acknowledged that the dialogue needed to occur.

While in the country, he said he teamed up with the team from the US embassy to Eswatini at a time that had been highlighted by the upcoming national elections and a call for a political dialogue.

Scott said this was at the centre of his interaction with government, civil society and the media.

He said what they were calling for was a rapid engagement towards the dialogue, but also do not want to be in a position where they were saying that by this date, what should have happened.

It was also his understanding that the king had made previous statements regarding the need and his acceptance and support for the dialogue.

He said all that was needed now was for the people of Eswatini, the leaders of the country and non-governmental organisations to arrive at a way forward.

Scott noted that there were many other political actors, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through its Troika and African Union (AU) to engage.

 “I think it’s there (the political will). It is a question of taking the first step and being able to agree to a forum and it is our hope that this will occur. Again, we can’t prescribe, you know, it is our role to support the institutions that can make this happen so we engaged with civil society where there are partners for many actors, including the government and ready to support a move towards dialogue,” he said.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20141

 

No immediate preps for dialogue, says Alpheous

By Nhlanganiso Mkhonta, Times of eSwatini, 28 March 2023

SOURCE

 

MBABANE: Despite the environment on the ground suggesting calmness, government says there are no immediate preparations in respect to the national dialogue.

This was stated by Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, in an interview yesterday. Nxumalo had been asked if there were any preparations being made in respect of the national dialogue, having observed that there was some calmness in the country. This also emanates from the fact that government has been adamant that the dialogue would not be held until the political climate became conducive. This was in reference to violence that had engulfed the country, where business establishments were burnt and there were unprecedented killings of state security personnel and civilians. In his response, Nxumalo said there were no immediate preparations to host the dialogue, except for the budgetary provision as presented by the Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, when delivering his budget speech in Parliament in February.

Rijkenberg announced that E30 million had been set aside for the national dialogue. Government had been all along, through press conferences and Parliament sessions, stating that the environment was not conducive for the national dialogue. It was cited that the acts of violence were hindering the convening of the dialogue. “You have rightly and correctly observed that the environment on the ground does seem to suggest some calmness,” said Nxumalo. He stated that government remained committed to the national dialogue, a dialogue that would not have an opportunity to put other people’s lives at risk and in predicaments. Nxumalo said the nation for now was focused on the national general elections, which were already underway. “Having said this, government notes with great pleasure the obvious peace and tranquillity that prevails in the country,” said the government spokesperson.

He further mentioned that no decision had been taken by government as to when the national dialogue would take place. When asked about the calls from some members of the public, that there should be the dialogue first then elections, he said to stipulate would be counterproductive and misleading. He said elections, meanwhile, had been officially announced, hence his assertion that the nation was preoccupied with this particular national exercise for now. “If any decision is taken to convene a national dialogue, a proper announcement and communication will be made,” said Nxumalo.

Meanwhile, during a previous article, Mhlangatane Member of Parliament (MP) Madala Mhlanga observed that there was calm such that emaSwati were able to even sleep peacefully at night. He further appreciated members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for their tireless efforts in providing security to the nation, despite the attacks against them. On the other hand, Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni asked Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini what was stopping government from convening the dialogue as it was able to commence the processes for the national elections.

Meanwhile, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of African Affairs, Robert Scott recently said, as America, they were ready to support Eswatini in conducting the dialogue.
When addressing the media at a press briefing on March 7, Scott said elections and dialogue did not replace each other. He said the upcoming elections provided the opportunity for all emaSwati to engage directly in the country’s governance, a process which they (US) supported. Scott also addressed the media virtually last week Thursday, where he highlighted that judging from his engagements with different stakeholders in the country, he noted that there was a political will to have the dialogue; it was just a matter of setting up the date.

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MP elections: Sphofaneni revolutionary seat at stake - Ngoma vs Lazwide

My Opinion, By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek, 27 March, 2023

SOURCE

 

MBABANE: Pro-democracy disaster looms at Siphofaneni Constituency if Ngomyayona Gamedze and Lomalungelo Simelane compete for the Siphofaneni MP position.

King Mswati’s toy elections will take place this year while deep divisions and lack of strategy is evident in the mass democratic movement.

I have seen articles where it was revealed that Ngomyayona Gamedze wants to replace Lomalungelo Simelane as Siphofaneni MP.

Previously Gamedze served the tinkhundla system as a Senator and deputy Senate President for 15 solid years. If my memory serves me well, I don't remember him speaking for the oppressed people of Siphofaneni or calling for political reforms. Honestly speaking, I don't think he is the right candidate to turn heat on King Mswati III in Parliament.

Gamedze's 15 years tenure, not once did he ever speak for the people of Sphofaneni who are grappling with hunger, starvation, water crisis and man-made poverty.

I understand that he has now “repented” and joined the democracy train. But can he be trusted to defend the revolutionary seat at Siphofaneni? trust him?

I don’t think so. Both MP LaZwide and Comrade Ngomyayona are part of the democracy movement. If Gamedze has “khontaed” in another different Inkhundla /Constituency, it would be wise to use that Constituency so that we increase the number of pro-democracy MPs in Mswati’s Parliament. The same way Marwick did when he switched to Lobamba lomdzala Constituency.

It is heartbreaking to note that some of the comrades are plotting to remove La Zwide who is young and vibrant in Parliament.

Let us give young people a chance to determine their own affairs. Gamedze played his part. However we need new people like LaZwide who understands our issues.

If you can analyse Sphofaneni elections very well, MP LaZwide and her husband are backed by all groups including the youth.

 

Marwick reveals eSwatini’s Taiwan debt trap

By Welcome Dlamini, Times of Eswatini Sunday print edition, 26 March 2023

 

MBABANE: It has always been said that loans from Mainland China, as opposed to those from the Republic of China Taiwan, are a debt trap. Taiwan has always used the notion to discourage countries from switching alliances to Mainland China and this is one of the reasons many ema6wati have always believed to be the main glue holding the two countries’ diplomatic relations together.

However, new information suggesting that the grants and loans that Taiwan has been extending to Eswatini have stringent conditions attached to them has come to the fore.

One of these loans is for the construction of the International Convention Centre and five star hotel, which is Known as the ICC &FISH, that is projected to cost around E7 billion upon completion.

During the sitting of the House of Assembly portfolio committee on economic planning and development, it emerged that there could be government properties which have been put up as collateral should Eswatini fail to repay the loan to Taiwan.

Member of Parliament MP Marwick Khumalo, an experienced legislator, who is serving an unprecedented fifth consecutive term as a legislator, raised the issue of the stringent loan conditions that could see the country losing the ICC &FISH to Taiwan.

“How true is it that the government signed an agreement with the Taiwanese Government to the effect that should the government fail to service the loan, the government will cede the ICC &FISH building to Taiwan” Khumalo asked the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Tambo Gina.

The minister did not deny the allegation instead, he said there were properties that the country stood to lose if it failed to honour the loans.

“The allegations are true that government signed a loan agreement with EXIM Bank of Taiwan that has a clause that stipulates that government will forfeit properties but not specifically the ICC &FISH in the event it defaults on repayment,” Gina said.

MP Khumalo followed up by asking the minister as to why government was accepting Taiwanese grants and loans that come with stringent conditions.

“... why does it seem like e we are forced to take these loans and we are exploited?” Khumalo wondered.

He made an example that the Taiwanese Government now wanted Eswatini to enter into an agreement regarding the strategic oil reserve project, yet the Kingdom was capable of funding this infrastructure development through the 35 cents per litre of fuel levy that is paid by motorists. Though Khumalo never mentioned it, Taiwan also financed the country’s construction of the King Mswati III International Airport.

Gina, in response, said all loans taken by government went through an approval process of checks and balances by the Ministry of Finance and relevant entities.

“If the loans conditions are not favourable, then government does not commit to such,” he said.

 

Indeed it’s now safe, you even requested a night visit from your girlfriend Mr Government Spokesperson.

Opinion by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 28 March, 2023

SOURCE

 

On Monday the 13th March 2023 at around 9pm, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo who stays in a Government house at Coates Valley called his girlfriend and requested an urgent night visit.

So when he told the Times that the environment is now peaceful, he was not lying, he is currently enjoying peace but we don’t know how long it will last if the political crisis and or the issues surrounding the political unrest remain unresolved.

Personally, I can imagine the freedom Nxumalo is enjoying but he must understand that incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs)Mduduzi Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube miss their wives and girlfriends, if they have some.

It is therefore unfortunate if Nxumalo would conclude that the environment is conducive while others are incarcerated, they don’t have the liberty to call their partners if they feel like having sex like he did on that night.

Nxumalo once asked how I got to know things before they happened, the answer is simple, I work with information every day and 24-hours a day.

I won’t expose the innocent woman who was cheating her partner with Nxumalo, the context of this article is not about consenting adults who agreed to visit each other and their bedroom issues. 

But my main interest is Alpheous Nxumalo who enjoys freedom and then conclude that everything is fine, what about those who are oppressed politically, socially and economically?

The reason I am sharing this is to make him understand that he is enjoying the freedom just because others within the pro-democracy movement decided to give dialogue a chance.

It is therefore important for the regime to use this opportunity to the best interest of the country by releasing the incarcerated MPs and start the dialogue process, otherwise, chaos might erupt again if the issues that resulted to the political unrest remain unresolved.

 

United Eswatini Diaspora (UED) Convener IB Dlamini officially meets the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials n The Hague for crimes against humanity by King Mswati III

By Noncedo Dube, Breaking News 82 Eswatini, 30 March 2023

SOURCE

 

Netherlands: It’s official, the international criminal court has received formal complaints regarding crimes against humanity committed by King Mswati III. The United Eswatini Diaspora (UED) headed by I B Dlamini has taken king Mswati’s crimes against humanity issue to greater heights. The organisation made an appointment with the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague in the Netherlands today regarding the case of King Mswati's crimes against humanity.

The UED assigned its convener I B Dlamini personally go to the Netherlands to represent emaSwati at the Hague. The main purpose of going to The Hague was to plead with the ICC to speedily investigate King Mswati III for crimes against humanity. This comes as a result of the cold-blooded massacre of more than 100 unarmed Swazis who were massacred since June and July 2021 to date.

Dlamini took an 11-hour flight to the Netherlands to meet the ICC committee and present the grievances of the Swazi people.

UED convener I B Dlamini has released a video taken at the Hague to indicate that that the meeting was successfully held today at 11:00am.

Dlamini revealed that they are now praying on God to take over the matter as the ICC will be making a decision on the Swazi matter soon. He further mentioned that if the ICC is able to hand out a warrant of arrest on top leaders of the world then it should not be an issue to hand out a warrant of arrest against King Mswati who is nothing in the world politics.

“This was a follow up to the previous correspondence wherein we sent electronic evidence. Today, we sent hard copies and other supporting documents or evidence we could not send electronically,” said IB Dlamini in a recorded video while he was at the Hague.

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Swaziland Newsletter No. 770 – 24 March 2023

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 770 – 24 March 2023

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.

 

Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) condemns assassination threats, intimidation on journalists in eSwatini

By Musa Ndlangamandla, Swaziland News, 22 March 2023

SOURCE

 

The freedom of expression and human rights situation continues to deteriorate in the Kingdom of Eswatini since the June 2021 civil unrest, in the wake of amplified calls for justice and democratic reforms in Africa's last absolute monarchy. 

The civil unrest that led to the death of dozens of civilians and the injury of many more, has divided the nation into two contending camps that can be loosely described as pro-establishment conservatives on the one hand and the pro-democracy proponents calling for political reforms and a human rights culture, on the other. 

There has been an increase in violence, extra-judicial killings, assassinations, abductions and torture, with each faction blaming the other as the perpetrators of these criminal acts. 

Journalists, who have a crucial role to play in such a situation by providing accurate and balanced information to allow the public to make informed assessments and decisions, are caught in the crossfire. 

In recent weeks there have been rising complaints of threats of assassination, violence and general harassment of journalists. 

It is disturbing to note that the situation in Eswatini has deteriorated to the extent that such threats are said to be coming from both sides of the political divide - both the state security apparatus and elements within the mass democratic movement.

The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) condemns these death threats, harassment and interference with the journalists' work, and calls on independent authorities to carry out an exhaustive investigation into these acts of intimidation, and ensure journalists are able to do their jobs. 

We call on the authorities to also finalise investigations into the brutal assassination on January 21, 2023 of Thulani Maseko, a prominent human rights lawyer. We believe that his unlawful killing is intrinsically linked to the ongoing freedom of expression and human rights deterioration in Eswatini. 

CFE notes with concern reports in the local press of a plot to assassinate two senior journalists of the Times of Eswatini, reports last month that an editor of an independent online news site has had to flee his home to a place of safety after being tailed by security officers, and developments around another editor of an online publication who is exiled in South Africa.

In December 2022, the home and family of a senior editor was attacked by assailants who used a petrol bomb to cause extensive damage. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

The threats, harassment and intimidation on the lives of senior journalists in the print and online media houses in the Kingdom of Eswatini is a dangerous attempt at censorship. It is also part of a systematic wave of threats and harassment that journalists have to constantly contend with, for simply doing their job, and they must stop.

So serious are the threats that some senior journalists and editors’ lives have been gravely disrupted and they have been compelled to skip the country to seek safety in neighbouring States. 

The authorities, leaders of the mass democratic movement, with the assistance and watchful eye of human rights groups and the international community, should investigate the ongoing threats against journalists in Eswatini and ensure that all journalists in the country, regardless of their establishment's editorial policy, or the origin of the threats, can perform their job without fear of retaliation or  threats, including intimidations of assassination and personal harm. 

Reporters Without Borders in its 2022 world press freedom index ranked Eswatini 131 out of 180 countries, stating that the country prevents journalists from working freely and independently by maintaining total control over the broadcast media, infiltrating the newsroom, and spying on, arresting and harassing journalists.

To read more of this report, click here

http://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=4037

 

Give us food before deworming – Ararat head

By Nomfanelo Maziya, eSwatini Observer, 22 March 2023

SOURCE

 

Following the start of the de-worming exercise in schools on Monday, Ararat (Endlozini) Primary School was forced to spend funds it had not budgeted for in order to provide food for pupils.  

The ministry of health is administering albendazole for intestinal worms and praziquantel for bilharzia, which was procured by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

While albendazole can be taken on an empty stomach, in mass treatment, it is not advisable as praziquantel should be taken on a full stomach.

Ararat (Endlozini) Primary Head teacher, Khanyisile Dlamini, during the deworming exercise at the school yesterday called on government to provide schools with food before embarking on the exercise.

She said the school faced challenges in ensuring that pupils took the medication on a full stomach as required due to a shortage of food.
Dlamini said the school asked parents to ensure that children came to school with a full stomach.

“We rely on parents feeding their children, therefore we do not know how much food or how balanced the food they receive at home is,” said Dlamini.

She said the deworming was especially important because the school had noticed that some children suffered from malnutrition and since there was no food, the schools could not control the pupils’ diet.

She said they were forced to rely on information from the children, which could be inaccurate.

“It would have been better if we had food we could offer them before the exercise so as to be sure,” said Dlamini.

“We appreciate the efforts by the ministry of health to deworm children as some pupils have shown signs of malnutrition and some skin problems such as ringworms, therefore we can see why the process is especially important,” she said.

Dlamini said the school had not received food from government, however, made a plan for the day as the medication needed to be complemented by food to minimise complications.
“We made a plan to ensure that there is food for our pupils after the exercise, otherwise we have not received any food from government,” said Dlamini.

She added that their cries to government pertaining the food issue in schools had fallen to deaf ears, however, the school understood and appreciated the initiative.

The head teacher said due to the fact that they understood the importance of the exercise the school out of their own not so deep pocket made means to ensure that the pupils were fed. She further pleaded with government that the next time such an exercise was carried out, it should ensure that schools had food for the pupils. 

Dlamini said this was because as a school they rely on government to ensure that pupils got to eat at least once a day.

Overall she said the exercise was well received, as a majority of pupils had permission letters from their parents.

“We have 214 pupils whose parents have consented to the exercise and their children were dewormed. This is a very good number as there are 272 children in the school, excluding Grade Zero, which was not a part of the exercise,” said Dlamini.

 

Shocker: one ambulance for all sports countrywide

Machawe Fakudze, Times of eSwatini, 19 March 2023

SOURCE

 

MBABANE: Shocking revelation.

The issue of ambulances being not available in stadiums during MTN Premier League games was explained during the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Team Doctors Workshop organised by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Medical Committee at Sigwaca House yesterday. Emergency Medical Services’ (EMS) Sibusiso ‘Soso’ Kunene, when addressing the doctors, revealed that they were faced with a number of challenges as a wing responsible for sports. He made the startling revelation that they only had one ambulance for all sporting codes in the country.

“Our job during games is to offer advanced life support not to attend to minor incidents such as knocks. This is the duty for the teams’ medics. The challenge as you have noticed that we were not attending games of late is that we have one vehicle designated for all the sporting codes in the country, not just for soccer,” Kunene said. He said since there was one ambulance for sports in the country, they had now come up with a new strategy called zoning, whereby they would contact all their offices around the country to inform them that they should attend to games around their vicinity. “I must highlight that the ambulances that will be deployed in games will leave should there be an emergency, as in actual fact they will be on standby,” he said.

On another note, Kunene said they were faced with a number of challenges when executing their jobs during games as they received strong words from fans, teams as well as the medics themselves, which he said was not good for local football. “We receive life-threatening utterances from some of these medics here when we are attending to players in the field. The referees also put us in the spotlight during games which attracts insults from supporters towards us,” he said. Kunene encouraged clubs’ owners to purchase the first aid kits needed by the medics for games as it was a shame that they were sometimes requested by the teams’ doctors for basic things such as bandages.

He finally revealed the reason behind EMS shunning PLE games, as he said supporters once damaged an ambulance, but the implicated team, whose supporter damaged the vehicle, distanced himself from repairing it, as a result he (Kunene) had to fork out his money to repair it. Meanwhile, the PLE was faced with challenges of having ambulances for games; as a result they issued a statement directed to teams that they should take the responsibility to organise for themselves before reneging on it recently. Some games were delayed as they waited for ambulances and one was forced to be called off to the unavailability of this special vehicle. This was the MTN Premier League match between Madlenya and Manzini Sea Birds, which replayed but as a continuation from the time it was stopped. It played for the second half’s 45 minutes as it had reached half-time when it was abandoned due to a lack of an ambulance at the stadium.

 

Exiled union leader: workers ‘demanding democracy’ in eSwatini

By Tula Connell, Solidarity Center, 16 March 2023

SOURCE

 

In Eswatini, a landlocked country in southern Africa, union workers are routinely harassed, attacked and even killed for going on strike or holding rallies. In 2021, dozens of workers were killed by security forces in what Amnesty International called “a full-frontal assault on human rights” by the government in response to ongoing pro-democracy protests. In January, prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was shot dead, hours after a speech by the king warning those calling for democratic reforms that mercenaries would deal with them.

Most recently, Sticks Nkambule, general secretary of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), was targeted by the government for leading a strike to improve working conditions. Forced to flee Eswatini, formerly called Swaziland, Nkambule described the interconnected struggle for worker rights, human rights and democracy on the latest Solidarity Center Podcast.

“We are just demanding the basics of what could be defined as democracy. A government that is formed by the people and serving their interests,” Nkambule told Podcast host and Solidarity Center Executive Director Shawna Bader-Blau.

“By bringing together the collective voice of all workers, unions fight for decent working conditions but also for the freedoms fundamental to all democratic societies,” Bader-Blau told Nkambule.

Despite the brutality and repression, Nkambule finds hope in the support from labor and human rights organizations around the world—and in workers themselves.

“What is quite inspiring is that the people of Swaziland are determined to be part of the conversation that is going to change their discourse. It is a reality, activists and, not just labor, beyond labor.”

Listen to this episode and all Solidarity Center episodes here or at Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you subscribe to your favorite podcasts.

 

Election time. Gawuzela urges Swazis to remove silent Mangololo MPs

By Eugene Dube, Swazti Newsweek, 19 March 2023

SOURCE

 

MBABANE: As the tinkhundla corrupt elections gets closer, Mduduzi Eric Gawuzela Simelane has urged Swazis to be vigilant and vote out Swazi lawmakers who have been silent and siding with oppressive Mswati regime.

He said, “Ride on great nation. We are now at the real test of character. We must not sell our future and our lives. We know the MPs who sold us to the enemy by not standing with us. We cannot commit this blunder again only to wail when they are again back in power.

Educate Mobilise Liberate…!”

Simelane revealed that some might be arrested as the elections beings.

“The ability to keep our eyes on the ball is an art that those who are truly dedicated to see change in our lifetime must discipline themselves to uphold no matter the distractions from whether inside or outside the MDM. The below declaration by the state-propaganda-machine gives us an insight into the mindset of the regime in spite of our calls for dialogue before elections. Whether we like that fact or not but this is the kind of animal we are dealing with.”

He said, “It is sad to be led by a government that does not listen to citizens for national solutions. During 2018, elections registration started around mid-May 2018 but this time around under serious tensions of the political unrest it is said to start in April (next month), against the will of the people.

“We can from now until nominations day expect arbitrary arrests of many pro-democracy individuals who would be presumed to be candidates in their communities by the state. This ploy will be played in a way that the detained individuals will be freed after nominations. The ultimate plan is to make sure they are not available in the nominations centres on the nominations day. I am raising this alarm not for lament, but to assist leaders and communities to plan and organise ahead.”

He said, “To us and those who believe in upscaling this battle into the chambers, battle lines have been drawn, no more time for wishful thinking but reality must quickly tick-in. No time for empty slogans now but time for aggressive work in covering space and preparing our people for any eventuality.”

He added, “Please ignore the distractors on Facebook and other platforms whose only prayer and wish is to see you failing in securing space in the chamber for advancement of the course of freedom. These distractors are just sadly assisting the enemy and they will not give you any options at the end. The evil regime has blown the whistle. Stand up, create units and activate the ground aggressively. Endless debates will bring us no positive fruits but disunity and back to square one disorganization.”

He said, “The distorted facts and pure lies spread are a set up for failure at such critical and defining moments of our struggle.”

 

Acting Natural Resources Minister: Water becoming scarce in eSwatini.

By Nokwanda Mamba, Swaziland News, 22 March, 2023

SOURCE

 

MAGUGA: Jabulani Mabuza,the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy says water is becoming scarce in the Kingdom of eSwatini hence the need to identify strategies to resolve the water crisis.

The Minister was speaking during the commemoration of the World Water Day on Wednesday at Maguga Dam under the theme; “Accelerating change to solve water and sanitation crisis".

"This day is also giving us an opportunity to intentionally look into our water situation and then determine new ways and approaches on how to improve issues on water supply, water management and on how to live with the impacts of climate change," said the Minister as quoted by Government online platforms.

 

UNESWA’s indefinite closure irks students

By Phiwase Phungwayo, Times of Eswatini, 17 March 2023

SOURCE

MANZINI: The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) has closed indefinitely, following the non-stop (waya-waya) strike by employees.

The employees are making a hue and cry over award performances (notching). The closure of the university happened amid the ongoing strike by members of the Association of Lecturers, Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP), which began last Wednesday. The strike was initiated after a deadlock had been reached on the dispute between UNESWA and its employees, where a certificate of unresolved dispute was issued in February this year.

The university had been taken to the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC), following grievances by the employees on the issue of salary adjustments. Management had offered employees three per cent cost-of-living adjustments (CoLA) but reportedly refused to allow staff to notch, yet in previous years, each CoLA award came with notching. The employees have not been receiving their notching since 2018, due to that the university had decried a shortage of funds.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/139361-uneswa%E2%80%99s-indefinite-closure-irks-students.html

 

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Swaziland Newsletter No. 769 – 17 March 2023

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 769 – 17 March 2023

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.

Ntuthuko to spend 20 years in jail

By Nkosingiphile Myeni, eSwatini Observer, 16 March 2023

SOURCE 

Former minister of public works and transport, Ntuthuko Michael Tsembalenkhanyeti Dlamini, was yesterday sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for the murder of three people.

Dlamini who shot and killed Themba Andreas Tsabedze, Sikhulu Shongwe and Simon Dlamini in 2020 was sentenced by Justice Maxine Langwenya to a period of 20 years each without an option of a fine.

He was further sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E5 000 for being in possession of an illegal firearm.

However, he will get to spend 20 years in prison as the sentences are to run concurrently.
This comes after Justice Langwenya convicted Dlamini for the crimes on December 12, 2022.
Dlamini killed the three men over a land dispute within the LaMgabhi Chiefdom, his constituency where he was a Member of Parliament.

He was charged with murder in that on or about September 7th, 2020, at or near Mhlabubovu area in the Manzini region, he unlawfully and with intent to kill, killed Sikhulu Shongwe by shooting him three times, on count one.

On the second count, Dlamini was charged with murder in that on the same date and same place, he unlawfully and with intent to kill, killed Themba Tsabedze by shooting him with a firearm. On the third count, the former legislator was charged with murder in that he unlawfully and with intent to kill, shot Simon Dlamini who later died in hospital as a result of the gunshot wound while on the fourth count, he was charged with contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act. During his defence, Dlamini argued that the murders were not pre-mediated.

He said there was a verbal argument with the trio, which escalated, leading to their deaths.
He also stated that one of them was carrying a knob-stick which he (Dlamini) felt threatened by and fired the fatal shots.

Justice Langwenya in her judgment stated that the crimes that Dlamini had been sentenced of were serious, appalling and unnecessary.
She said families of the deceased were entitled to expect that the crimes committed be punished accordingly.

The judge said she found that when Dlamini committed the offences he had lost his self-control for whatsoever reason in the emotionally charged situation he found himself in.
“The inquiry into his mens rea at this stage of the proceedings would therefore amount more or less to the negation of insanity coupled with some minimal notion of foresight,” she said.
Judge Langwenya did not quantify the degree of the murders.

In her judgment, she said there were extenuating circumstances that act as factors that impact on the moral blameworthiness of the accused at the time he committed the offences.
She said while previous judges have found that immaturity, intoxication, anger, provocation, economic plight, state of health, abuse or mistreatment were the common extenuating circumstances, in the present matter the emotional circumstances applied.

“However, gratuitous and unnecessary the murders were, they were not premeditated. The non-premeditated murders herein were carried out with only legal intention in emotional circumstance,” she said.

The judge further stated that when a killing was impulsive, concepts which emphasise rational processes, had little meaning.

“The fact that there was no actual intent to kill but only legal intention is a factor, which should normally be considered an extenuating factor as well as mitigatory. The murderer with actual intent is more morally blameworthy than the murderer with legal intent. A constructive intent to kill is a factor, which must be put on the credit side in accused’s favour in weighing up the existence of extenuating circumstances,” Justice Langwenya said.

She said courts had made convictions of murder with dolus eventualis on its own or featured with other factors may constitute extenuating circumstances.
“I am of the view that since the murders were not pre-meditated coupled with the fact that the accused states he feared for his life as the material time the crimes were committed constitute extenuating factors,” she said.

Before delivering sentencing, the judge said depriving children of the comfort, support and upbringing of their fathers was a terrible thing.

“It is with regret that I find that I will have to part you from you children and from your unemployed wife. It is sad for me and for you but my duty is clear. From the evidence led during the trial, I have no idea why you would go to the lengths you did to make widows and orphans in broad daylight in one fell swoop when you had reported the matter to the police, and they had assured you they were coming to attend to the matter,” she added.

The judge said she took into consideration the submissions of both the Crown and the defence in coming to her conclusion and sentencing.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20086

See also

Sixty-five years in prison: The rise and fall of former Public Works Minister Ntuthuko Dlamini.

http://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=4000

 

Ntuthuko recalls: from MP, minister, now inmate

http://www.times.co.sz/news/139346-ntuthuko-recalls-from-mp-minister-now-inmate.html

 

Over 400 EFF members buried Katsande

By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek 12 March, 2023

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Phumlani Katsande Simelane, the EFF Swaziland member who was shot death in the back by King Mswati III’s soldiers has been buried early today.

Pictures show that members of the EFF Swaziland dominated the funeral.

Nombulelo Motsa, the Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland President confirmed the matter in an interview today.

“We buried Phumlani Katsande Simelane today at Mahlangatja,” said Motsa in a brief interview.

Simelane was shot dead by members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force.

Mthokozisi Makhunga, the EFF Swaziland Deputy President is on record confirming the brutal killing of Simelane matter in an interview.

“Our member had not provoked even the soldiers. But they blocked him and shot him dead while walking away,” said Makhunga.

Thulani Maseko a well-known human rights lawyer and a PUDEMO member was gunned down in his home by suspected state agents. His killing came few hours after King Mswati III threatened to deal with dissidents.

Prior to Maseko's killing, Muzi Mmema a leader of the SFDF was allegedly tortured and killed by Eswatini state agents.

 

Concerns over Mswati’s swelling face, King’s Spokesperson says his health condition remains confidential.

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 14 March, 2023

SOURCE

 

MBABANE: Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson says he can’t comment on health issues involving the Monarch adding that his health is, and remains a confidential matter.

Mswati's has been appearing in public with an alleged ‘swelling face’, his condition seems to be worsening and doctors say he might be suffering from a liver disease.

Responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News on Tuesday afternoon the King’s Spokesperson reminded this journalist that patients files remain confidential.

“We are not privy to his health file. His family and doctor are the ones who can comment on his health condition. In this country patient’s file are confidential,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

The King addressed members of the Lutsango regiment on Saturday during the Buganu Ceremony, he appeared with a visibly swollen face.

A doctor who analyzed his recent picture told this Swaziland News that the King might be suffering from a liver related disease.

“It’s hard to know exactly but it might be a liver problem. This might also be caused by too much consumption of alcohol,” said the doctor whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.

This publication had earlier reported that the King was hospitalized with COVID-19,however the police responded by hunting this journalist for allegedly publishing what was described as misinformation.

But on or around February 2021,the King in his Speech from the Throne confirmed that he was suffering from COVID-19.

 

Assassination attempt and harassment of Eswatini lawyer Maxwell Nkambule

Statement from Lawyers for Lawyers, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the assassination attempt as well as the harassment and intimidation of Mr Maxwell Nkambule. Lawyers for Lawyers is furthermore concerned about the overall failures of the authorities in the Kingdom of Eswatini to ensure the safety of lawyers in carrying out their professional legal duties and to properly investigate incidents of violence against lawyers.

Mr. Nkambule is a human rights lawyer in the kingdom of Eswatini and reportedly has been attacked due to his representation of freedom fighters facing charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2018 in Eswatini.

On 7 December 2022, Nkambule was on his way home after a consult with clients when a car approached that had been following him for some time. As he stopped to see who was in the car, one of the persons pulled out a gun and pointed it at Nkambule’s head. A shot was fired in his direction, but Nkambule managed to dodge the bullet by quickly driving away in his car.

Unfortunately, Mr. Nkambule later experienced harassment again in relation to his work on politically sensitive cases. For at least two nights in the month of December, multiple unidentified men were surveilling his house, accompanied by a drone that entered his private property. In the middle of the night, they observed his house and its surroundings for hours before eventually leaving.

After complaining to the police about these events, they informed him that an investigation was not possible and did not assist him in any manner, nor did they try to identify the persons or take any action to guarantee the safety of Nkambule. As a result, Nkambule had to flee the country and could not represent his clients in court in January.

It is not the first time that similar attacks have happened in Eswatini. One of the colleagues of Nkambule, Thulani Maseko, tragically passed away because of a similar incident. On 21 January 2023, Maseko was shot in his home, leading to his death. Maseko was a human rights lawyer committed to promoting justice, peace and human rights in Eswatini. His murder appears to have been an act of retaliation for his legal professional duties. Thus far, the assailants have not been identified nor has a proper investigation into his death been conducted by the relevant authorities.

These attacks are part of a wider crackdown on civil society that has been taking place in Eswatini since 2021. Then, waves of protests broke out as a result of the deterioration of the human rights situation in the country. The authorities responded to the protests by banning them and sending police officers who shot at the protesters.

The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, Article 16, states clearly that governments must ensure that lawyers “are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance or improper interference”, ‘are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad’ and “shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.”

Article 17 states that “Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.”

Lawyers for Lawyers is deeply concerned that the attacks on and intimidation of Mr. Nkambule is connected to and serves to unlawfully restrict his legitimate activities as a lawyer, especially in the light of the assassination of one of his colleagues who was also targeted multiple times for exercising his profession as a lawyer and the continuous unsafe situation for lawyers to exercise their profession in Eswatini. To fulfil their professional duties effectively, lawyers should be able to practice their profession safely and should be free from improper interference, fear of reprisals, and unreasonable or illegitimate restrictions.

Lawyers play a vital role in upholding the rule of law and the protection of human rights and their work is indispensable for public confidence in the administration of justice and to ensure access to justice for all.

Therefore, in order to maintain the rule of law and allow legal professionals to fulfil their role in protecting rights and freedoms, Lawyers for Lawyers urgently calls on the authorities in the Kingdom of Eswatini to:

Guarantee the safety and physical integrity of Mr. Nkambule;

Thoroughly investigate the attacks on Mr. Nkambule with the aim of identifying those responsible and holding perpetrators accountable in order to serve justice and to prevent re-occurrence of violations;

Thoroughly investigate the death of Mr. Maseko with the aim of identifying those responsible and holding perpetrators accountable in order to serve justice and to prevent re-occurrence of violations;

Ensure that all lawyers in the Kingdom of Eswatini are able to assist their clients without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference and without threats, prosecutions or sanctions for any action they take in accordance with internationally recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.

 

Kidney disease claims 200 lives in 12 months

By Nomfanelo Maziya, eSwatini Observer, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

The lack of support to patients suffering from kidney disease is among factors that resulted in the death of close to 200 people in 12 months. 

Patients with chronic kidney diseases face a number of challenges, among which is lack of transport money to attend sessions three times a week at most at the Mbabane Government Hospital and other health facilities.

Dialysis services are provided at the Mbabane Government, Hlatikulu Government and Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospitals.      

Some of the patients travel from as Matsamo and Lomahasha, to name a few, according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Support Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Nkosinatsi Dlamini.

Chronic kidney disease is when the kidney function gets worse. High blood pressure and diabetes are two common causes of chronic kidney dieseas. Dlamini, who was speaking at the Mbabane Government Hospital in honour of the World Kidney Day, which is commemorated on March 9 annually, said most of those affected found themselves jobless as they spent time at the renal unit.

He said these were people who were young and energetic but were faced with financial challenges.

As a result of the challenges, he said most dialysis patients slept in compromised places in the hospitals, hence that led to them getting infected with other conditions that would otherwise have been easily avoided.

“This causes severe stress to the patients as some do not have support of their close family and acquaintances as they do not understand the complications that come with this condition,” he said.

Dlamini said currently 298 people have kidney disease and were on haemodialysis. 

He said 34 were on peritoneal-dialysis, which is home dialysis.

“Forty-eight are dialysing at Hlatikulu Government Hospital, 44 are at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini and 206 are dialysing at the Mbabane Government Hospital. Inside 12  months close to 200 kidney patients have died due to multiple factors,” said Dlamini.

He further stated that it was of great importance to lessen the burden that was carried by people who undergo dialysis in the country saying “every Liswati needs to know about kidney disease, but especially if you have one of the risk factors – diabetes, HIV, hypertension, heart disease, obesity or a family history of kidney disease.”

He stressed that knowing you are at risk was the first step towards living a healthier life and the Foundation worked hard in soliciting funds to get experts to help in prolonging lives of kidney patients and to bring awareness on how people should live their social lives, which had a direct impact on the function of the kidney.

One of the patients on dialysis, Nontsikelelo Magagula, a 29-year-old with an energetic spirit, said she transferred to Mbabane Government Hospital because it was closer to home in Pigg’s Peak.

Magagula highlighted some of the challenges they face as they undergo treatment. 

“When I arrived at the hospital, I found that patients would sleep in the passage on cardboard boxes and although I am not sure who, but someone then donated mattresses, which we now sleep on,” said Magagula.

She shared that she had been on dialysis since March 2019 and her journey began at the Hlatikulu Government Hospital after she had been referred by her local clinic.

“I receive treatment three days a week. I cannot go home and return the following day because transportation is costly, especially because I would have to travel to and from Pigg’s Peak. As a result every day after the treatment I sleep in the passage and go back home on Fridays,” she said.

Magagula further stated that in the midst of it all, while sleeping in the passage she incurred food expenses because the hospital did not cater for them since they were not admitted.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20051

 

Shot and tortured by police, Communist Party of Swaziland’s Mvuselelo Mkhabela escapes, calls for continued anti-monarchist resistance

By Pavan Kulkarni, Peoples Dispatch, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

Speaking to Peoples Dispatch from his hideout, the 21-year-old narrated how he escaped from the police and made it to safety with the help of his comrades, following hours of torture, after being shot by the King’s police while leading a pro-democracy protest

Mvuselelo Mkhabela, 21-year-old activist of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS), confirmed that he was safe in a video message on March 9, over a week since his escape from the hospital where he was brought by the police after being shot and tortured by them.

Security forces of King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, shot Mvuselelo on February 28 while he was leading a local protest to disrupt a government campaign aimed at convincing people to vote in the upcoming parliamentary election, expected to be held in the second half of 2023.

Only those individuals approved by the King’s local chiefs—who also control the community land and resources—can contest the elections to the parliament of the southern African kingdom, where all political parties have been banned since 1973.

Describing the parliament as the King’s “puppet,” with no power to hold to account the executive directly appointed by the monarch, CPS International Secretary Pius Vilakati told Peoples Dispatch that these elections “have nothing to do with the interests of the people of Swaziland.” Held every five years, they only serve to legitimize the monarchy, he said, justifying the CPS’ campaign to disrupt the election.

Pius argued that the election can “neither be free nor fair,” when the chiefs who decide who can and cannot contest the elections also control community members’ access to land, which in Swaziland is all owned by the King.

Nevertheless, determined to get people to vote and counter the campaign for boycott, the government has launched its own propaganda campaign to convince communities about the virtues of this election.

Agents of what is called the “Elections and Boundaries Committee” arrived on the morning of February 28 to campaign in Mvuselo’s small town of Hluti, in the Hosea constituency in Shiselweni region, about 180 kilometers south of Swaziland’s capital Mbabane.

Along with 25-year-old Bongi Mamba, another CPS activist, Mvuselelo had been organizing this rural community and campaigning to raise awareness about the need to boycott and disrupt the elections.

On February 7, heavily armed policemen barged into Mvuselelo’s home at 4 am and arrested the duo, two days after they had led a local anti-monarchist protest calling to lift the ban on political parties and release political prisoners.

They were tortured and interrogated in custody before being released the next day, after Hosea community members protested outside the station. Bongi was released without any charge, but Mvuselelo was released on bail and charged with burning property and possessing cannabis seeds.

On their release, they were briefly hospitalized. Unfazed, the duo went right back to Hosea, and continued organizing the community and campaigning against participation in this election.

When the agents of the election committee arrived with police on February 28, youngsters in the area led by Mvuselelo quickly mobilized to stop them from entering the community. Carrying banners proclaiming ‘No to Mswati Election,’ ‘Democracy Now!,’ ‘Mswati Must Fall!,’‘Unban political parties,’ and ‘Free all political prisoners’, they blocked the small mud-road, stomping their feet in a rhythmic dance and chanting in chorus a protest song against Mswati.

“Without any warning, the police who were accompanying the election agents shot me in the right thigh from a close range. The bullet missed my bone and exited from the other side,” Mvuselelo told Peoples Dispatch while speaking from a hideout where he is being treated by a doctor who is also a CPS member.

“Other community members tried to fight back. Some even tried to grab their guns to stop them from shooting more people. But they fired several rounds. When people ran for cover, the police picked me up and threw me in one of the vans they had brought.” The seats and floor of the van had already been covered by plastic sheets to prevent blood stains, he said, concluding that the police had come with the intention to shoot and arrest protesters.

“They drove past the nearby community clinic, but did not stop to get me first aid. They did not even call an ambulance. Instead they intentionally took a long gravel road and drove for almost 40 kilometers to cause me more injuries,” Mvuselelo said.

“All the way they beat me, and fingered my bullet wound to cause more pain and bleeding. They threatened me, saying this is only the start, there are worse things they were going to do to me.”

To read more of this report, click here

https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/03/10/shot-and-tortured-by-police-communist-party-of-swazilands-mvuselelo-mkhabela-escapes-calls-for-continued-anti-monarchist-resistance/

 

Over 400 children not in school due to lack of birth certificates

By Kwanele Sibiya. eSwatini Observer, 11 March 2023

SOURCE 

Despite government’s effort to ensure that every child has access to formal education, through the provision of the Free Primary Education (FPE) programme, 408 children have not been accepted in schools due to the lack of birth certificates. 

This was revealed by Umhluma Women and Youth Foundation Director Lungelo Zulu, who said they had it in authority based on their records that these children were idling at home.

Zulu said what was worrying was that a fair share of the parents to these children were also without birth certificates.

He said this was the reason they failed to register certificates for their children.

Zulu said the organisation had engaged with some of the head teachers, who stated that their hands were tied, as they were expected to submit a list of pupils to be enrolled under the FPE to the deputy prime minister’s office.

“The head teachers said they, unfortunately, cannot submit the claims for pupils who do not have birth certificates as per the requirements by government.

“We also tried to engage the department of social welfare and many other partners with futile attempts,” he said.

He then pleaded with the ministry of home affairs, which is responsible for such issues, to intervene urgently and salvage the future of these youngsters.

 “The country should formulate certain systems that would accommodate such children even though this might be a costly exercise, given that there are some parents who also do not have these certificates,” he said

Communications Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mlandvo Dlamini, advised members of the Umhluma Women and Youth Foundation to reach out to the ministry so they could assist them in identifying the affected children.

He said this would allow the ministry to assess the situation and further come up with a strategy on how best to deal with it.

“The ministry has discovered that a majority of Emaswati were not capacitated on the mopping exercise, which is aimed at ensuring that everyone has access to birth certificates and other personal documents.

“As a result, we have rolled out programmes on social media platforms in a bid to reach out to the masses,” he stated.

He said these orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) could also visit the deputy prime minister’s office for assistance on this issue.

Dlamini then urged mothers to register birth certificates for their children within 60 days from birth to avoid a situation where they would be left stranded in the event they pass on.   

 

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