Swazi Media Commentary: June 2023

Friday, 30 June 2023

Swaziland Newsletter No. 783 – 30 June 2023

Swaziland Newsletter No. 783 – 30 June 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.

Still No Justice for 2021 Violence

Human Rights Watch, 26 June 2023

SOURCE

Eswatini authorities have failed to ensure accountability for the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters by security forces that began two years ago, Human Rights Watch said today. The crackdown led to the deaths of at least 46 people, as well as other serious human rights abuses.

Since pro-democracy demonstrations began in May 2021, the government of Eswatini has intensified its clampdown on dissenting views by arresting government critics on bogus charges, interfering with peaceful assembly, and resisting calls for democratic reforms. It has failed to conduct a transparent, independent, and impartial investigation into the killings and other human rights violations resulting from the security forces’ excessive use of force. Despite repeated calls by Eswatini’s international partners and other actors for rights reforms, the government has made no progress to address the country’s deteriorating human rights record.

“The protests that began two years ago have been seen as the beginning of a tipping point in Eswatini’s governance, human rights and democratic crisis,” said Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, South Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government needs to realize that the movement for human rights and justice is not going to go away and that it needs to end its repression.”

The government should release critics detained solely for their expression and peaceful assembly, lift the trumped-up charges against them, and conduct independent and impartial investigations into the attacks against pro-democracy activists, Human Rights Watch said.

On May 17, 2021, students and teachers began protesting the alleged killing by the police of Thabani Nkomonye, a law student at the University of Eswatini. The protests escalated on June 20, when about 500 young people took to the streets in Manzini to demand democratic reforms. In response, the authorities banned all protests and deployed security forces, who shot at protesters indiscriminately with live ammunition.

In July 2021, the authorities arrested two members of parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube on spurious charges of terrorism for allegedly supporting pro-democracy protests and calling for democratic reforms. The government also charged them with two murders.

While in detention, the parliament members have been beaten and denied access to lawyers and medical care, Amnesty International reported. Their trial concluded on January 31, 2023, and on June 1, they were found guilty of all charges against them, including murder and terrorism. Mabuza and Dube, who pleaded not guilty to all counts, face up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing date is yet to be announced.

The murder judgment relates to the death of two men, Siphosethu Mntshali and Thando Shongwe who were hit by a car on June 29, 2021, at one of a number of roadblocks around the country where residents were stopping vehicles and demanding money. However, the parliament members were not there or at any of the roadblocks, their attorney said.

The charges were apparently brought because the parliament members supported the June 2021 protests. The conviction was largely based on the concept of dolus eventualis (foreseeability), a judgment that many have questioned as not accurately applying the law. “The judgment is a deliberate failure on her part [Judge Mumcy Dlamini] to understand the concept of murder dolus eventualis,” an Eswatini human rights lawyer said.

On October 20, 2021, police fired live ammunition and teargas into a bus full of people traveling to Mbabane to protest Mabuza and Dube’s incarceration. On January 31, 2022, media reported that security officials beat and kicked a university student, Colani Maseko, as they arrested him while he participated in protests at the University of Eswatini’s Kwaluseni campus, sparking a new wave of protests.

The Eswatini government has failed to ensure a meaningful investigation of the security forces use of excessive force during the protests and the crackdown on democracy activists, or of the killing of a prominent human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist, Thulani Maseko by unidentified men on January 21, 2023, despite repeated calls by Eswatini’s regional and international partners. Political dissent and civic and labor activists are subject to harsh punishment under the Terrorism Act of 2008 and the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938.

On September 29, Eswatini will hold general elections as part of the country’s Tinkundhla constituency system, under which political parties are banned from participating and nearly all individual candidates are loyal to the king and have his support. King Mswati III exercises absolute authority over all branches of national government and controls local governance structures through his influence over traditional leaders.

Political parties have been banned in the country since 1973, but banning political parties does not meet international standards for the conduct of democratic elections. It violates the fundamental right to freedom of association and to participate freely in the government of one’s country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives, as protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/26/eswatini-still-no-justice-2021-violence

African Commission on Human Rights warns Mswati on ongoing extrajudicial killings, calls for constructive engagements to address eSwatini political crisis

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 28 June, 2023

SOURCE

MBABANE: The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) has adopted Resolution 554, on the current political climate in the Kingdom of eSwatini calling for, among others, the ongoing extrajudicial killings by King Mswati’s security forces and/or mercenaries.

The African Commission Resolution adopted last month, further urges the Government of eSwatini to respect human rights and work towards pursuing avenues for civil discourse and constructive engagement, inclusive of all stakeholders.

“Urges the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to pursue avenues for civil discourse and constructive engagement, inclusive of all stakeholders, in order to create an enabling political climate for dialogue towards addressing the civil and political unrest in the country.Calls on the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to refrain from any form of victimization, harassment, intimidation and targeting of human rights defenders, political parties, protesters, pro-democracy leaders and campaigners through the arbitrary use of the police and security forces,” reads the resolution in part.

Reached for comments, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said he was not aware of any Government position regarding the resolution, he referred comments to the Prime Minister’s office.

“I am not aware of any Government position on the resolution at the moment. Kindly take it up with the Prime Minister's Office,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

The resolution by the African Commission comes amid looming targeted sanctions by the United States (US), more international bodies are condemning and taking a strong position regarding the ongoing violation of human rights in eSwatini.

Housing Ministry pleads for mercy on elections

By Sabelo Majola, Times of eSwatini, 27 June 2023

SOURCE

MBABANE: ‘‘We have become a laughing stock, but it’s not entirely our fault.’’

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, has pleaded for mercy from the nation with regard to the challenges that the ministry encountered during the Local Government Elections. Following reports that some of the polling stations were marred with drama as they ran out of ballot papers, the minister admitted that they indeed encountered the challenges. Our sister publication, Times SUNDAY, reported that voters in some polling stations such as Fonteyn Social Care and Msunduza Community Hall had to wait for at least five hours due to delayed delivery of ballot papers.

It was reported that while others endured the situation, some voters ended up not exercising their right to vote because they decided to leave. Prince Simelane said the ministry was aware of the difficulties in some of the polling stations and he pleaded with the nation, particularly residents of the areas affected, to forgive them. The minister was addressing the media during a press conference that was held at the ministry’s conference room yesterday. He shared that as much as they had become a laughing stock for failure to execute the elections smoothly, it was not entirely their fault as they procured the ballot papers on time, only to be told by the supplier that they were not readily available. “We had prepared everything on time and the update we got from the supplier was that the ballot papers would be available by 3pm on Friday. However, when we made a follow-up, we were requested to wait again until at least 9pm that evening but the wait lasted the whole night,” he shared.

The minister emphasised that they had done all that they had to do in preparation for the elections, but unfortunately it was not enough to ensure a smooth elections exercise.
The minister further mentioned that the results that were announced by the ministry after the voting exercise were a true reflection. He shared that so far, there were no complaints from the people who contested the elections, but the ministry was not popping the champagne yet as people may come to register their dissatisfaction. “Activities like elections are prone to complaints from the people who contested, but so far, we have not received any complaint. However, it is not to say we do not anticipate receiving them as there might be those that complain of foul play,” he said. It is on record that some candidates who did not make it have been making a hue and cry about what they termed ‘unfair’ elections.

Apart from claiming that certain individuals who were supposed to vote for them failed to do so on the day, due to shortages of ballot papers, they also complained about alleged corrupt elements. These include some candidates transporting voters to the polling station. Prince Simelane forwarded the ministry’s gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the elections, especially the officers tasked with the administration of the whole exercise for their dedication. The minister also announced that the interim council that was appointed into office would continue to be there as the new elected councillors were still going to be orientated before they commenced their duties.

Unemployment a ticking time bomb - SUPMO

By Nkosingiphile Myeni, eSwatini Observer, 25 June 2023

SOURCE

The frustrations of unemployment are seemingly pushing desperate graduates to look for jobs overseas.

However, government has warned that job seekers must first confirm if the overseas jobs are coordinated under the government.

With the World Bank estimating the unemployment rate at 24.4 per cent in 2022, the desperate graduates like Thembinkosi Thwala (33) of Nsangwini and Simolesihle Mamba (26) purport taking their degrees out of the country.

Thwala graduated with a degree in agriculture engineering from Luyengo campus, University of Eswatini (UNESWA) in 2018.

According to Thwala, he has been unemployed for about four years now.
The closest to getting a job was when he was hired by a construction company that was looking for casuals and it lasted for about three months last year.

Other than that, the job market has been silent, he said, appealing to employers to end his frustration.

“I send applications almost weekly but there is no ‘we regret.’ The only time I had been in a job interview was when I was doing my internship for my programme,” he said.

On the other hand, Mamba who also graduated from the same tertiary institution in 2019 with a degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering said sending applications was a tedious job.

Mamba said he was already enrolled for an online teaching course that looks for teachers in Taiwan.

While he is still familiarising himself with the recruitment process, he said it involves him taking a week-long teaching course on the internet.

This, he said would place him at an advantage because his name would be recommended to job-seeking schools in Taiwan.

Both Mamba and Thwala do not believe that they may not be getting called to job interviews because they were overqualified.

In 2014, Thwala scooped the first prize in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) essay writing competition against others from schools within the 16-membered blog.
Without a job, some germs of the country feel there are no rewards for hoping to get a job and in the process reminisce on the risks associated with human trafficking against a much sounding warning.

Chairperson of the Swaziland Unemployed People’s Movement, Lucky Dlamini, said unemployed graduates had little options as unemployment was catastrophic.

“The issue of the unemployed graduates is a national crisis that needs to be at the top of the government agenda, if we are to stimulate economic growth and change this unemployment catastrophe,” Dlamini said.

He also said challenges with government creating jobs include relevant training and quality education.

Further he said there were glaringly missing programmes for the unemployed youth to empower them to create jobs for themselves, than to be scouting for jobs.

Dlamini was also of the view that mentorship and internships were necessary in job experiences.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20634

Health crisis: bring own bandages to govt hospital

By Mmeli Mkwanazi, Times of eSwatini, 23 June 2023

SOURCE

MBABANE: If injured and in need of medical attention, you will have to bring your own gauze bandage.

This is the current practise at the Mbabane Government Hospital, given the shortage of medical drugs and other supplies, most recently gauze bandages. These are the most common type of bandages used by health institutions, which is a woven strip of material with a telfa absorbent.

This type of bandage has reportedly been out of stock for some weeks now at the Mbabane Government Hospital. Injured and sickly members of the public seeking medical attention that requires the use of bandages at this hospital are reportedly not getting help as they need to purchase these from private pharmacies.

Sihlelelwe Mnisi, a snake-bite victim, who was accompanied by her older sister Temalangeni Dlamini, was turned back at the Mbabane Government Hospital after travelling from Siteki. “We were so devastated when told to return next Thursday. We cannot even afford to buy the gauze bandages, as we assumed the hospital would provide as per the norm. Where will we get the E300 from?” she rhetorically asked.

Another patient, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that she injured and fractured her leg and when she sought medical assistance, she was referred to pharmacies to purchase a bandage. “I had no choice but to borrow money from my relatives since I’m unemployed just so my leg can heal. The bandages I bought cost me E400, excluding the pills I also had to purchase. If this wasn’t the case, the plaster cast would’ve been removed by now,” she said.

Nolwazi Simelane also alluded to this as she relayed her ordeal. “I have had this plaster cast on me for the whole month now. I came all the way from Hlatikhulu, which costs my parents E200 just to travel to Mbabane Government Hospital, only to find that I also have to purchase my own gauze bandage; money I do not even have. We came all the way to Mbabane with the hope that we would be assisted but this is clearly a countrywide problem as clinics in my area could not assist,” she said.

She further mentioned that the removal of the old bandages was overdue and she could no longer bear another day but had no choice since she could not remove them without purchasing new ones. This, she said, was according to what the doctor advised. When Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi appeared before Parliament yesterday, she said the reason for the medical drugs shortage was due to late procurement of medicines late last year. “It started in the third quarter of the financial year. Delivery of medicines was hampered by the closure of suppliers in South Africa between December and mid-January, with most suppliers only having a month to deliver until mid-February, when government procurement is stopped as the financial year begins to wind down,” she said.

Nkosi mentioned that her ministry had started the process of procurement, which includes the development of procurement plans and submissions to the tender board. “We have successfully negotiated with the tender board, who have granted a three-month extension of last financial year’s contracts for medicines. The three-month extension given ends next week to allow the ministry to pay, as well as procure much needed drugs,” she added.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/140695-health-crisis-bring-own-bandages-to-govt-hospital.html

Friday, 23 June 2023

Swaziland Newsletter No. 782 – 23 June 2023

Swaziland Newsletter No. 782 – 23 June 2023

Terrorism act used against pro-democracy people - lawyer

eSwatini News, 17 June 2023

SOURCE

MANZINI: “The Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 is used against people in the pro-democracy movement, says a human rights lawyer.”

Human Rights Lawyer Mzwandile Masuku, who is the son of deceased former President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Mario Masuku, said this when addressing attendees of the Oslo Freedom Forum 2023. The Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) is an internationally recognised conference for democracy and human rights, which began as a group of roughly 200 individuals, who gathered in the Norwegian capital in 2009, to celebrate the survivors of Communism and Nazism. On Wednesday, Masuku informed the attendees that while the Suppression of Terrorism Act was allegedly used as a target for dissenting voices, the lawyers who represented the people charged under this Act were accused of promoting terrorism. He said because of this, they (lawyers) tended to be intimidated.

“One of my colleagues survived an assassination attack and Maseko did not. For the first time in a while, I’ve not worried while walking around in Oslo of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) following me or monitoring my movements with white unmarked South African registered cars,” he said. The human rights lawyer claimed that the late Human Rights Lawyer, Thulani Maseko, was one of the lawyers who challenged the presence of the military personnel in schools, the shutdown of the internet and the arrest of minors. “What is happening in my country could have been avoided as now there are parallel attacks happening,” he alleged. He said this could have been avoided by listening to the peaceful protesters. Mzwandile said Eswatini was a small country calling for intervention, but the pleas became background noise. The lawyer claimed that the intervention of the Western countries had assisted in the release of Maseko when he was imprisoned in 2014. He appealed for the same to be applied even now instead of the ‘lukewarm’ posture that was seemingly adopted by many diplomats. Mzwandile said Maseko, a long time mentor and partner, was gunned down in front of his wife and children. He said he could not get the voice of Tanele (wife) when informing him that Maseko was cold. The human rights lawyer informed the gathering that Tanele described to him an assignment executed by a skilled assassin.

He said when he received the news of Maseko’s demise while he was with his family, he subsequently prayed that ‘if this (execution) should happen, it should happen away from their families’. Subsequent to this, he claimed to have wondered who was next as there were talks of an assassination list for the pro-democracy movement. Alpheous Nxumalo, the Government Spokesperson, said Mzwandile needed to be reminded that he who alleges must prove his allegations. “As government, we are far from being deterred by such false narratives whose sole purpose is to deliberately delay, derail and divert investigations into the murder of Mr Maseko and many other emaSwati, including members of the national security services, a chief and ordinary citizens of the country,” Nxumalo said.

Authorities must stop using the courts to intimidate and harass union leaders

Amnesty International statement, 19 June 2023

SOURCE

Ahead of the court appearance of Sticks Nkambule, Secretary General of Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers Union, on trumped-up charges of contempt of court stemming from his involvement in organizing a stay away action in December 2022, Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Interim Deputy Director for Southern Africa, said:

“The harassment and intimidation of Sticks Nkambule and the union that he represents for simply organizing a protest shows that the authorities in Eswatini are effectively criminalizing peaceful dissent. The message they are sending is loud and clear: those who dare to differ with those in power will be punished.

“Authorities must drop the sinister charges against Sticks Nkambule, stop criminalizing dissent and respect the people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. This travesty of justice must end.

“Criminalizing people who express their views and protest goes against Eswatini’s Constitution, which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It also violates the country’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Eswatini is a state party.”

“Eswatini authorities must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country and allow people to freely exercise their rights. Authorities must stop using the criminal justice system to harass, intimidate and persecute those who dare to stand up for their rights including union leaders and protesters.”

Background

Sticks Nkambule is facing contempt of court charges connected to the stay away strike that took place on 13 and 14 December 2022 which was organised by the Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), a coalition of trade unions.

The protest was organized to demand the release of Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza, Members of the Eswatini Parliament incarcerated since 25 July 2021 for calling for political reforms in the country. Sticks is listed as the first respondent to the case, while his union is the second respondent.

The other two unions, the Eswatini Kombi and Buses Allied Union, Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association, are third and fourth respondent respectively.

Supreme Court of eSwatini unanimously finds registrar’s decision on LGBTIQ+ organisation unconstitutional

Statement Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre, 16 June 2023

SOURCE

MBABANE: A five-panel bench of the Supreme Court of Eswatini passed a judgement setting aside the decision by the High Court that dismissed the application by Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities, ESGM, to be registered as a non-profit organisation.

In the 26-page long judgement, the bench unanimously declared that “the approach undertaken by the Registrar in this regard does not meet the legal requirements contained in Section 33 of the Constitution.” Section 33 provides for the right to administrative justice, including the right to be treated in accordance with the requirements of fundamental justice and fairness. This includes the right to procedural, lawful, and reasonable administrative action.

The decision on whether or not to register the organisation was declared invalid, and the Minister responsible for the registration of companies has been ordered to decide on the organisation’s registration status. The Supreme Court said the Minister must reconsider the application afresh, and a decision should be transmitted in writing within 60 days.

The Supreme Court agreed with the argument by the appellants that the minority judgement from the High Court was correct in deciding that the decision ought to be set aside because the Registrar unlawfully relied on advice from others.

Melusi Simelane, who brought the application on behalf of ESGM, welcomed the judgement. “Once again, the judiciary has reminded the executive branch of government and its functionaries of the importance of Section 33 of the Constitution. This is a monumental judgement and a constant reminder to the executive to exercise its powers with restraint and pay close attention to the rights and liberties of every citizen. We now hope the Minister will make a decision that will be remembered in history as protecting the rights of the marginalised LGBTIQ+ citizens of Eswatini without prejudice.”

“We are happy that the court set aside the initial decision of the Registrar, which was taken irregularly. We trust that the Minister will apply his mind properly to the matter, taking into consideration the appellants’ rights to association and expression,” said Anneke Meerkotter, SALC’s Executive Director.

“The judgement today brings hope to the organisation and its members as we witness the Supreme Court recognising the rights of all citizens by setting aside the decision of the Registrar. We hope that the decision by the Minister will not delay justice but uphold the rights of the people as per the Constitution.” Sisanda Mavimbela, ESGM’s Executive Director.

“I commend the judiciary for reminding government officials to execute their duties within the ambit of the law and policy guided by context and principles of fairness, non-oppression and justice.” Anna Mmolai-Chalmers, SALC’s LGBTIQ+ Program Manager.

Background

In 2019, ESGM applied for the name reservation with the Registrar of Companies and was denied. The Registrar refused to register the association, stating that the association’s purposes were unlawful. The Registrar suggested that the Constitution does not include gays, lesbians, or intersex persons. On 29 April 2022, the High Court handed down its decision and ruled against setting aside the decision of the Registrar and registering ESGM, with a dissenting judgment asserting that ESGM be registered as a not-for-profit company. The Court, however, held that LGBTIQ+ persons are entitled to constitutional rights, including the right to life, liberty, privacy, dignity, not to be discriminated against, the right to freedom of expression, to associate and form a company and the right not to be subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment. The Court held that these rights were inherent to all persons based on their status as human beings. The Supreme Court heard the case on 5 May 2023.

For information, read the Fact Sheet here.

Download the Supreme Court ruling here.

SWALIMO 67 000 members registered to vote

By Thokozani Mamba, Times of Eswatini print edition, 20 June 2023

SITEKI: The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) claims to have registered 67 000 of its members to vote in the 2023 General Elections.

About 583 428 have registered nationwide.

The validation of the voters registry will take place between June 21 to July 12, 2023, while the nomination process will take place between July 22 and 23.

According to SWALIMO Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo, they mobilised all their card carrying members to register after declaring that the party would contest parliamentary seats this year.

Silolo, when asked how they had verified the number of their registered members, said they relied on information from the organisation’s branch chairpersons.

He said they were constantly communicating via WatsApp with the chairpersons, receiving updates on the registered members.

He was also asked how he determined that all their members had registered based on a tangible proof forwarded by their members.

He has also been asked about the organisation’s total membership, considering that some members openly declared their resignation from the party.

“SWALIMO is a mass-based organisation and the call to register and participate in the elections was not just for our card carrying membership alone but for all peace loving and democracy seeking emaSwati. EmaSwati in their numbers, believing in the leadership of SWALIMO and its call, decided to register, hence this applaudable turnout,” he said.

Silolo stated that the remaining call was to now nominate and elect credible leaders, who would ensure to push the mandate of emaSwati in Parliament.

“We just pray and will ensure to guard that the State does not rig the elections against the numbers committed to doing right,” he added. Worth noting is that other political formations such as the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) and Sive Siyinqaba have also declared their participation in the forthcoming general elections.

“According to our records of card carrying members, we have 67 000 who have registered to vote. This figure is for members who registered to be members of SWALIMO last year and currently I cannot be sure about the database of our members. I am yet to get the latest figures of those who have joined the party,” he said.

The spokesperson further thanked the party’s members for registering in their numbers at their respective nearest registration centres.

He acknowledged that some of those who registered to vote were people who supported the struggle.

“We have made our point clear that we want to register in numbers so that we also vote for the people who will bring change in Parliament. We want to ensure that the identified people serve the interest of emaSwati, who have been calling for democratic reforms since 2021,” the spokesperson said.

Adding, he mentioned that the youth should also join the party and play a key role in the struggle.

Acting Sive Siyinqaba National Movement Secretary General (SG) Vusi Nxumalo said his organisation had 19 655 members who were encouraged to register to participate in the forthcoming elections.

He said they had mobilised their members to register after the delay on the hosting of the national dialogue.

Nxumalo said branch leadership had mobilised members to register in their number in all their branches.

“I cannot have the exact figures but most of our members have registered. We had anticipated that the national dialogue will be hosted first before the elections but we then resolved to mobilise our members after the State continued with the elections,” he said.

SWADEPA President Barnes Dlamini said the party would not have that information for now but as an organisation, they stand by their principle and policy to participate in the forthcoming elections.

Sithobela SWALIMO Branch Chairperson Mciniseli Dlamini said his branch had about 350 members who registered to vote.

Dlamini also said he had registered to vote after they received a directive from the organisation’s leadership to mobilise members to register.

“We have to ensure that we push for the call to for democratic reforms,” he said.

EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe said the commission had a mandate to register every liSwati to vote.

Bhembe said the commission was aware that there were people affiliated to different political formations who had registered to vote.

He encouraged emaSwati to fully participate in the next stages of the general elections.

“We are aware that there are emaSwati affiliated to different political organisations who have registered to vote. The commission is only in charge of the elections and not to check a voter’s affiliation to a certain organisations. Our mandate is to host free and fair elections for all emaSwati, hence everyone who is above 18 and liSwati is eligible to register to vote and exercise his or her right,” Bhembe said.

Moreover, he said the commission would be conducting an audit on every voter registration kit to ascertain any discrepancies as it had an electronic footprint of the registration.

Bhembe shared that if the commission found any discrepancies, an investigation would be instituted.

“We are currently preparing for the validation process as the extension delayed us,” he said.

eSwatini Concerned Citizens to deliver nationwide petitions as King’s extravagant lifestyle triggers serious shortage of drugs in government hospitals

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 21 June, 2023

SOURCE

MBABANE: Lucky Dlamini, the Chairperson of the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) has confirmed that Eswatini Concerned Citizens will soon embark on a nationwide delivery of petitions, amid shortage of drugs in hospitals across the country.

Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa and ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch, is facing a serious health crisis.

The health crisis, triggered by government failure to provide drugs in hospitals, has resulted to the death of hundreds of patients.

On Tuesday morning, Concerned Citizens under the SUDF delivered a petition at Sobhuza Clinic-kaKhoza, about one (1) kilometer from the densely populated Manzini town.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Lucky Dlamini, the Chairperson of the SUDF said the health crisis in the country, now requires citizens to address it as it affects them directly.

“We can confirm that Ka-Khoza Concerned Citizens delivered a petition at Sobhuza Clinic, more petitions will soon be delivered in all health facilities across the country in demand for drugs,” said the SUDF Chairperson.

Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

The delivery of petitions come at the time when the health was not only attracting the attention of political entities or the general members of the public, Members of Parliament (MPs) Marwick Khumalo and Macford Sibandze recently came hard on Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi for failing to address the crisis.

Worth-noting, the crisis erupted long before the appointment of the current Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi, it allegedly came as a result of Government failure to provide a sufficient budget for the Ministry of Health, more billions, of public funds sustain King Mswati’s lavish lifestyle.

Recently, Mswati allegedly used public funds to purchase over twenty (20) new Mercedes Benz including four (4) Vianos collectively worth over R50million, the polygamous King purchased the vehicles for his wives.

Mayibongwe Masangwane is the Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU.

The Nurses Union Secretary Genera told this Swaziland News on Tuesday that as health workers, they welcome the idea to deliver the petitions to Government hospitals and clinics across the country, he said this will demonstrate the magnitude and/or seriousness of the health crisis.

“We have been creating awareness that the situation in hospitals is getting worse but Government seems reluctant to address the crisis. Maybe, once the public stands-up and demand the medication, government will prioritize the issue,” said the Nurses Union Secretary General.

Eswatini has been relying on the United States (US) among other donors, to fund the health system particularly on Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) eradication programs while taxpayers monies fund Mswati’s lavish lifestyle.

Mealie meal price hike looms as maize shortage hits eSwatini

By Sibusiso Shange, Times of Eswatini print edition, 20 June 2023

MBABANE: Consumers should expect to pay no less than E10 more for a bag of mealie meal due to the drastic decline in this year’s harvest.

In fact, tough times lie ahead for emaSwati as the kingdom faces a huge drop in maize production owed to a poor harvest.

Maize is the staple food for emaSwati, which is used in the production of mealie meal.

For the country to be self sufficient as far as maize production is concerned, it needs at least 140 000 metric tonnes of maize.

However, a pre-harvest analysis report shared by the Ministry of Agriculture, has pointed out that farmers collectively produced 85 000 metric tonnes in the 2023 harvest, which already depicts a shortfall of 55 000 metric tonnes.

This year’s harvest has shown a drop of 42 000 metric tonnes compared to last year, where the harvest stood at 127 000 metric tonnes, according to records shared by the National Maize Corporation (NMC).

In an interview yesterday, Director of Agriculture Nelson Mavuso attributed the drop in the maize production to dry spell and storms that hit the country earlier in the year. Mavuso stated that most areas such as Manzini, which he referred to as a food basket, were affected by the dry spell when the cobs were about to sprout.

Asked about the real meaning of the drop in maize production, Mavuso said a full harvest report would be released on July.

“We have released a pre-harvest analysis report for now. This means that a full report will follow once all farmers are done with preparing their grain for storage. The final report will give a direction on how to address the shortfall. Obviously, the only option to address such a huge shortfall is importing the product from other countries,” Mavuso said.

He stated that countries such as South Africa (SA) had indicated their readiness in exporting maize as they had a surplus. However, he stated that earmarking a country for import would be determined by the prices and availability of the product.

He added that the kingdom had been unable to reach the target of 140 000 metric tonnes in the past 10 years.

He shared that the average harvest had been between 82 000 to 85 000 metric tonnes. He also mentioned that the country did not do well in beans production due to the heavy rains experienced during the bean farming season.

National Maize Corporation (NMC) Chief Executive Officer Mavela Vilane, said it was high time Eswatini repurposed herself in terms of priorities. Vilane said as the globe faced climate change, the country no longer needed to depend on rain for crop production.

He said maize production could be incorporated into irrigation projects as a substitute for rain.

“The country needs to do something to improve maize production before it depends on importing it. It is costly to import a staple food because prices are determined by the demand of the product,” he said.

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