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Friday 10 May 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 826 – 10 May 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 826 – 10 May 2024

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.

 

eSwatini among Africa’s worst governed nations

by Sibusiso Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 6 May 2024

SOURCE 

Eswatini is among the top 10 worst-governed nations in Africa, according to World Economics, a respected UK-based research organisation.

The United Nations defines good governance as the process where public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in a manner that promotes the rule of law and the realisation of human rights (civil, political, economic, social and cultural).

The good governance ranking, according to the organisation, is assessed through four main indexes; corruption perception, rule of law, press freedom, and political rights, with each of them given equal weight.

The comprehensive assessment of the governance dynamics expose glaring deficiencies across these benchmarks and systemic issues hindering progress and development in the country, from rampant corruption and political instability to a disregard for the rule of law.

….

Public Sector Associations who represent civil servants in various sectors said the index’s findings were believable to them as its findings was a lived experience for them, emphasising that a majority of their issues stem from bad governance.

“There are no lies to that at all because working with government exposes poor governance on a daily and it is incredibly frustrating,” said Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) Secretary, Phumzile Masilela, reacting to the Index.

“There's no transparency, no respect for workers' rights, and even the law is disregarded,” she added, emphasising the frustrations encountered within government's operations.
She complained of corruption within government and said it had planted an attitude and spirit of incompetency.

“There are people who do as they please because they are connected, and once you try to be vocal about it, you are ostracised and victimised, which is bad governance of the highest order,” she stated. Masilela also accused government of bad communication, and shone light on the fact that the country could not chart a path towards inclusive growth and development without concerted efforts towards comprehensive governance reform.

“Until we commit to that, the new era of prosperity and stability will remain nothing but a pipe dream,” she said, further speaking against the introduction of the Performance Management System (PMS) without provision of working tools.

Similarly, President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Mbongwa Dlamini, said the Index was a true reflection of the country, calling to attention the pervasive corruption in the nation and its impact on the education sector. “Nothing is transparent, from the hiring of teachers to promotions, so imagine what that does to the spirit of the professionals in the profession, let alone the learning process when educators have to teach while dispirited,” he quipped.

Dlamini warned that it is high time the government realises that bad governance has far-reaching consequences, in particular on critical sectors such as education.

To read this full report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22423

 

Prime Minister urges workers to build own clinics, private schools and make money amid collapsed health, education system

By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 6 May, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini who attended the Workers Day Celebration at the Prince of Wales Sports Group on Wednesday [1 May 2024], did not come with a solution on how his administration will create jobs for workers but instead, he urged nurses and teachers to build their own clinics and private schools in order to make money.

This is contained in a written statement that was supposed to be delivered by the PM on Wednesday, the Prime Minister (PM)had to flee for safety after being stopped by angry workers from addressing the May Workers Day Celebration.

“On this May Day, I would like to make propositions that will transform our lives as workers. Primarily, I would like to motivate that we can be better than where we are today and our future can be brighter if we maintain the right mindset. Workers, for instance, can build their own banks that will enable us to access finance at low rates. Through these banks, we can lend even to our employers and charge them reasonable interest rates. Teachers can build private schools and make a decent living from that, just as we have other international schools in the country. Nurses can build private clinics and hospitals and make a decent living from that as well”, said the Prime Minister (PM).

The sentiments of the PM comes amid a collapsed health and education system in the midst of corruption in the public administration and royal extravagant spending.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Monday afternoon Wander Mkhonza, the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) criticized the statement of the Prime Minister, saying privatization of basic services like health and education will not improve the wellbeing of the people.

“While we agree that workers must everyday work on improving their financial independence, we as workers do not agree with the views of Prime Minister on workers building private clinics and private schools precisely because we don't believe that privatisation basic necessities like health and education improves the general wellbeing of our people. Private institutions do not work on a mandate to improve lives but work to make profits and the detrimental of those that do not have the means. It is therefore wrong for government to suggest that workers must build businesses that would somehow replace the social responsibility of government”, said the well-known unionist.

 

Warning on syndicate harvesting body parts

By Sithembile Hlatshwayo, Times of eSwatini, 7 May 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The Office of the Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling has warned members of the public to be on the lookout for a syndicate harvesting human body parts and trafficking of same.

This warning follows revelations by some victims who said they survived the trap by a certain woman who had lured them after running an advert in this publication, purporting to be looking for a helper. A post was also run on the social media pages attracting attention from desperate job seekers.

Head of Secretariat- Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling at the Prime Minister’s Office Nompumelelo Lukhele, urged the nation to carefully study details on adverts and social media posts regarding job opportunities. Lukhele said the location was important to get an idea of who the people offering the jobs were and where they came from. In the process, Lukhele said the job seekers should get clear particulars of the advertisers.

According to Lukhele, it was difficult for the job seekers to know who the people were, hence it was safer to avoid going to the location sent by those offering the jobs alone. She said the companion should wait until the interview was over in either the office or home, where it was taking place, in the case where helpers were being sought. The head of secretariat added that in the event the job seeker had suspicions about the offer not being authentic, they should go with their instinct and not show up.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/144981-warning-on-syndicate-harvesting-body-parts.html

 

‘You are loved’: A clinic for at-risk people in eSwatini

Doctors Without Borders, 2 May 2024

SOURCE 

The small but bustling town of Matsapha in Eswatini is known for its industrial businesses and textile firms. Women from across the country come here seeking employment opportunities, often in factories offering minimal pay. 

Known as a town “where the buyer meets the seller,” Matsapha is also a hub for sex work. This year, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in collaboration with stakeholders from Eswatini's Health Ministry and community leaders, officially opened a clinic, which the local community has named “Sitsandziwe,” translating to “you are loved.”

The clinic’s scope of health coverage was informed by a 2022 MSF study on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which identified a significant prevalence of STIs, particularly impacting people between the ages of 18 to 29.

Matsapha is also a welcoming place for the LGBTQI+ community, and has hosted events to encourage marginalized groups to seek health care.

In response to the need for an inclusive and comprehensive sexual health clinic, Sitsandziwe aims to offer effective and convenient sexual health services. The team provides all services free of charge, while ensuring a safe and private environment.

Addressing the STI burden is a long-term endeavor that involves not just medical solutions but also tackling social challenges.

“The ultimate goal of the clinic's activities is to gather data, identify challenges, and uncover opportunities for the national program, leading to policy changes. These could include the introduction of lab-based STI diagnosis and treatment, as well as hepatitis services at primary health clinics,” said Dr. Hayk Karakozian, MSF medical coordinator in the clinic.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/you-are-loved-clinic-risk-people-eswatini

 

Good Shepherd’s life-changing surgery on kids with disabilities

By Wonderboy Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 8 May 2024

SOURCE 



Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital has recorded in its history books the first ever procedure known as gastrocnemius recession and other procedures on four children with disabilities.

The four children who were initially diagnosed with cerebral palsy and clubfoot had severe joint contractures and deformities.

The operations to lengthen and straightening the hands and feet were performed last week at the hospital's theatre by a team of doctors from the United Kingdom (UK).

The team was invited to the country by one of the hospital's volunteer surgeons, Dr Joseph Northway. 

Explaining about the procedure, Dr Alex Aarvold, a visiting surgeon, said it was all about helping children with disabilities.

“The surgeries were to help these children stand and perform tasks independently. We screened nine children, and operated on four of them,” he said.

Aarvold expressed hope to help more children when his colleagues visit the hospital in the next two months.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22425

 

Ex-Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)Themba Masuku received over R2million ANC alleged laundered corrupt monies from All Nations Bishop Bheki Lukhele

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 8 May, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Themba Masuku, the former Deputy Prime Minister(DPM) allegedly received over R2million alleged African National Congress (ANC) laundered corrupt monies from controversial Bishop Bheki Lukhele of the All Nations Church in Zion, an investigation by AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has found.

In a report published this week and quoting a bundle of documents sourced from the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit (EFIU), the team of international investigative journalists found that, through his company-Lawuba Investments (Pty) Ltd, former DPM Themba Masuku, the then Shiselweni Regional Administrator (RA), sold a Farm to Bishop Lukhele at a suspicious inflated price amounting to over R2million in what was suspected to be an act of money laundering.

Referring to an article previously published by this Swaziland News, AmaBhungane quoted Bishop Lukhele having claimed that his money was legitimate.

This publication questioned the Bishop in 2019 after he was seen questionably accumulating wealth with no clear source of income.

“I can confidently confirm that my money is clean because it is received through the banks, it is traceable with all the proof. I don’t deposit money to the bank in cash except for the church offerings,” said Lukhele.

The investigative report produced under the ongoing highly effective investigative journalism project by Swazi Secrets, AmaBhungane and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)further reveals that, Judge Andreas Lukhele while practicing as a lawyer at Peter Dunseth Attorneys, was an alleged transferring attorney and a money-laundering conduit for Bishop Lukhele and former DPM Themba Masuku. 

A questionnaire was sent to the former DPM, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

To read more of this report, click here

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=6503

See also

Eswatini Financial Intelligence documents suggest that, ex-FSRA CEO Sandile Dlamini was sacrificed for government to be seen fighting corruption.

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=6504

 

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