Swaziland Newsletter No. 842 – 30 August 2024

 Swaziland Newsletter No. 842 – 30 August 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.

 

Army ready to prevent unrest - minister

By Siboniso Nkambule, Times of eSwatini, 27 August 2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: The Acting Minister of National Defence and Security, Pholile Shakantu, has assured senators that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) remains vigilant to prevent a recurrence of the June 2021 unrest. While emphasising the military’s readiness, Shakantu highlighted that the true priority lies in fostering peace among emaSwati. She also stressed the importance of promoting peace across all sectors of the nation’s structures, urging collective efforts to ensure stability. This was disclosed yesterday, when the Ministry of National Defence and Security was presenting its first quarter performance report for the year 2024/25 financial year before its Senate portfolio committee.

The committee members had questioned the minister about the army’s readiness to protect the country against foreign elements that would want to disturb peace. Senator Fezeka Dlamini said there were elements that infiltrated the country in 2021.Dlamini asked for the ministry’s assurance, questioning what they were doing to ensure that what happened during the June 2021 unrest was not repeated. She said emaSwati love peace and they appreciate it in the country. Adding, Dlamini mentioned that they were happy to see that the national airspace was safeguarded, both in peace and wartime. She, however, raised concerns about the aircraft that need to undergo major servicing, but due to a lack of budget, that mandate was not achieved.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/146800-army-ready-to-prevent-unrest-minister.html

See also

Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu says army ready to ‘shoot and kill’ those who might trigger another political unrest.

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=7235

 

International team of investigative journalists to take over human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko’s assassination case as a ‘special project’

By Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 28 August, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: A team of highly skilled international investigative journalists is expected to commence a high-level investigation into human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko’s assassination.

This was confirmed by Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News who urged the public to assist in ensuring the success of the investigation.

“I was contacted two weeks ago by an international human rights organization and formally informed that, the investigation by the international investigative journalists will commence soon. We urge the public to assist the journalists with any information, potential sources will be contacted anonymously and the journalists are skilled in the gathering of information and protection of sources”, said the editor.

Dlamini said the assassination of the human rights lawyer, remains an unresolved case of international interest, he urged more human rights organizations, including those under the United Nations (UN), to consider commissioning more independent investigations to investigate the death of the lawyer.

Maseko, the Chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum (MSF) was assassinated at the peak of the political unrest and, at the time, he was preparing for a political dialogue as recommended by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

 

The late human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko

eSwatini to roll out first women-controlled HIV prevention product

News Release, IPPF, 26 August 2024

SOURCE 

IPPF’s [International Planned Parenthood Federation] Member Association in Eswatini, the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS), is soon to roll out the first women-controlled HIV prevention product, the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR). FLAS will be among the first organisations to offer the DVR outside implementation or pilot studies anywhere in the world. Made of flexible silicone, the ring is inserted into the vagina by a woman and slowly releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine in the vagina over a one-month period, helping to reduce a woman’s risk of acquiring HIV.

In 2023, in sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls accounted for 62% of all new HIV infections and every week, 3100 adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years [LM5] became infected with HIV. Therefore, there continues to be an urgent need for HIV prevention methods that females can use to protect themselves.

The DVR is a product women can control themselves and use without the knowledge or consent of their partners, unlike condoms, which men often refuse to use. The DVR is inserted into the vagina and left for a one-month period, where it can then be replaced each month for continued protection. Unlike daily oral PrEP, the DVR does not rely on remembering to take a pill each day and is also discreet as it stays inside the vagina throughout the month.

The DVR does not prevent pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so women choosing to use the ring may want to consider combining it with condoms and methods of contraception.

The availability of the DVR is an exciting step in supporting women’s autonomy and choice in HIV prevention. This need for women-controlled HIV prevention products has long been advocated for, with the African Women Prevention Community Accountability Board launching the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto in early 2023. The Choice Manifesto prioritises the principle of choice to ensure that women and girls have the right to choose which HIV prevention methods work for them. Currently the ring is available at selected facilities through implementation studies across six countries in East and Southern Africa; South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Uganda.

To read more on this, click here

https://www.ippf.org/media-center/eswatini-roll-out-first-women-controlled-hiv-prevention-product

 

Arrests looming in home affairs investigation

By Ntombi Mhlongo, Times Sunday, 25 August 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The net is closing in on civil servants who are implicated in the fraudulent activities at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

This is because the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which has been conducting investigations, has reportedly completed its work. This publication has gathered that the ACC has completed its work and around 10 officers are set to face the music. Having concluded the investigation, it was gathered that ACC officers were already working on an application to obtain warrants of arrests for the implicated individuals. Sources revealed that if all goes according to plan, the arrests would be effected in the next coming days. Called for comment, ACC Acting Commissioner Maphevu Mkhatjwa said while the commission has completed its investigation, he could not say when the arrests would be effected. Mkhatjwa argued that it was not wise to reveal anything, as such would jeopardise whatever investigation they carried out. He then referred this reporter to ACC Spokesperson Jabu Phakathi who, however, told this reporter that she was not aware of any planned arrests.

Phakathi reminded this reporter that the entity operates within the ambit of the law which prohibits the disclosure of information or details of any person who is the subject of an enquiry or investigation. The ACC has a three-pronged legal mandate of prevention whereby it is supposed to examine practices and procedures and advice on ways of preventing corruption.

It also has an education role of empowering the public and private bodies and the general public on the forms and dangers of corruption.  Furthermore, the ACC has the function of investigation which is to receive and investigate complaints of alleged or suspected corrupt practices made against any person, and refer appropriate cases to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).  

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/146757-arrests-looming-in-home-affairs-investigation.html

 

Imbali warned against same-sex relations

By Sibusiso Shange, Times of eSwatini, 28 August 2024

SOURCE 

LUDZIDZINI: Imbali has been warned against engaging in same sex relations during the course of the Reed Dance. The annual Reed Dance, known as Umhlanga, is an annual event where maidens from all four regions of the country assembly in one place, for the fetching of reed from swamps, with instruction from His Majesty King Mswati III. The reed is then used to cover enclosures (emaguma) in the country’s royal residences and royal kraals.

During the event, which is aimed at encouraging the girl child to preserve her purity, the young girls are afforded the opportunity to showcase their chastity before Their Majesties and the entire world.  The event is not limited to emaSwati, but open to other African tribes with the same belief. The maidens were yesterday warned against engaging in the act, upon arrival to register for the event at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. “You are warned against engaging in same sex relationships during the course of the event. War unto those who will be found to have engaged in same sex relations here,” said one of the tindvuna repeatedly.  

[…]

The young girls were also warned against singing vulgar songs during the event. They were further warned against artificial hair and urged to maintain natural hair.The indvuna went on to warn the maidens against wearing leggings, sun shades and miniskirts, as well as going to other events, such as the Trade Fair.

“You are strictly warned against loitering. No one is expected to be found at the Gables without valid reasons. You are also warned against littering,” warned the indvuna.

The young girls were also warned against engaging in sexual relations during the course of the event. 

To read the full report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/146822-imbali-warned-against-same-sex-relations.html

 

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

Find us:

Blog: https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/142383985790674

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com  @Swazimedia

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 841 – 23 August 2024

 Swaziland Newsletter No. 841 – 23 August 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.

 

Uphold rights to freedom of association, expression, and assembly

Human Rights Watch, 16 August 2024

SOURCE 

On August 13, Eswatini’s Supreme Court overturned a 2016 High Court decision that declared several repressive provisions of the 1938 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) and 2008 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA) invalid.

The 2016 High Court decision had declared that several sections of SSA and STA violated the rights to freedom of association, expression, and assembly, guaranteed in Eswatini’s Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Eswatini is party.

The 2016 decision combined four separate applications to the High Court brought by six activists.

The activists, who included the late human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, Mario Masuku, leader of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), and Maxwell Dlamini, leader of PUDEMO’s youth wing, had been separately charged under the SSA for allegedly making subversive statements and sedition. They had also been charged under the STA for allegedly “chanting slogans of a terrorism nature,” “wearing t-shirts which bore terrorist demands at the back,” and participating in a demonstration calling for a boycott of elections.

The activists argued that the STA, which criminalizes support for a proscribed entity and prevented individuals from challenging that label, infringed on their right to due process and administrative justice.

Political parties have been banned in Eswatini since 1973.

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the High Court’s ruling will embolden the government to ramp up its ongoing crackdown on opposition, human rights, and pro-democracy activists and weaponize the criminal justice system. This ruling is the latest in a worrying trend of authorities employing vague and overly broad provisions of terrorism laws to suppress freedom of association, expression, and assembly. In July, two former members of parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, were sentenced to prison terms of 25 and 18 years respectively for participating in and supporting pro-democracy protests in 2021.

This week, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Eswatini is a member, will hold its 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State in Harare, Zimbabwe. The SADC should prioritize the deteriorating human rights crisis in Eswatini and take decisive action. It’s imperative the Eswatini government repeal these repressive laws and ensure full respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights.

See also

Eswatini upholds contentious anti-terrorism, anti-sedition and subversive activities laws

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-14-eswatini-upholds-contentious-anti-terrorism-anti-sedition-and-subversive-activities-laws/

 

Partnership brings the fire for human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals

By Kaylois Henry, (United Nations) Africa Renewal, 21 August 2024

SOURCE 

A festival in Eswatini provided the perfect backdrop to encourage audiences to learn about and protect their human rights.

Lungile Magagula stands in the Eswatini Legal Aid Office booth, surrounded by pamphlets and booklets, holding conversations on how the laws help people access justice and enjoy their human rights. 

“We have different people coming through our stall and we explain to them our mandate, provide legal awareness information, what legal assistance, including representation, could look like,” said Magagula, who is the director of the Office.

Participants found the Eswatini Legal Aid Office and the numerous other booths like hers as they wandered through the “Bring Your Fire Zone” (BYFZ), in the Bushfire Festival, in Eswatini.

At this year’s festival, the “Bring Your Fire Zone” was situated in such a way that people could wander through it or near it as they made their way from the camping sites for the weekend-long festival. Each person, each conversation is a chance for Magagula and others to remind people that their rights are important.

The MTN Bushfire Festival is one of the largest music festivals on the African continent, with more than 20,000 attending this year’s three-day event. Taking place in late May each year, the festival focuses on music, activism and culture as a means to promote positive social and environmental change.

“I bring my fire for access to justice for all, that’s the most important thing you can do,” Magagula said. “And you can never truly ensure that there’s access to justice unless people are actually aware of their legal rights. Unless people are aware of their rights, they can never be able to claim their rights to access justice.”

For the second year. United Nations Eswatini (consisting of UN Human rights, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, IOM and WFP) partnered with Bushfire in the “Bring Your Fire” events and zone. 

The events and the zone, provide space for discussions, interactions and exchanges among the public, NGOs, UN and other organisations on a variety of human rights issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The BYFZ was a great way of reaching a wider variety of people through various means to promote and advocate human rights, said Laila Nazarali, UN Human Rights Office Advisor in Eswatini. 

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/august-2024/partnership-brings-fire-human-rights-and-sustainable-development-goals

 

Universities feel financial pinch amid political turmoil

Phathizwe Zulu, University World News, 15 August 2024

SOURCE 

The higher education sector in the Southern African kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is facing tough times with two high-profile universities experiencing financing squeezes.

The University of Eswatini (UNESWA), the country’s largest public national higher education institution, and the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) – also public – are struggling with debts. This triggered protest actions in January – for example, from demotivated lecturers whose salaries have been delayed and part-paid and unhappy students who demanded that their delayed state scholarship allowances be paid.

UNESWA is the kingdom’s biggest university, with more than 7,000 students and about 300 staff. It has three campuses, in Kwaluseni, Mbabane and Luyengo.

On the other hand, SANU – a 2010 amalgamation of the Nazarene College of Nursing, Nazarene Teacher Training and the Nazarene College of Theology – had about 2,300 students in 2020, dropping to 1,700 after COVID-19, with numbers continuing to fall to around 1,400 students today.

Their financial malaise continues, with UNESWA in July unable to pay full salaries to staff, said Acting Registrar Richard Masuku in a memorandum: “We regret to inform you that the university will not be able to pay staff their full salaries on payday due to insufficient funds. Each member of staff will receive a portion (93%) of his or her salary. It is hoped that the balance will be paid before the end of next week. The university asks for your forbearance in these difficult times,” it reads.

Unfortunately, the staff received the same memo in June, following other months when full salaries were not paid.

This has sparked industrial action. In February (2024), UNESWA examinations for the second semester of the entry year classes of 2022 and 2023 were postponed by one week at Kwaluseni and Luyengo campuses after lecturers boycotted invigilation over February salary part-payments.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20240813123330530

Motion for Govt to provide foodstuff for hungry passed

By Ntombi Mhlongo, eSwatini News, 17 August 2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: If a motion passed in Parliament yesterday is anything to go by, government will soon provide foodstuff like maize meal, beans, cooking oil and other basic commodities to needy families countrywide.

The motion was moved by Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo, who moved that the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, should make it happen that government provides foodstuff like maize meal, beans, cooking oil and other basic commodities. Khumalo said the motion is necessitated by the fact that there are many citizens of the country who are languishing in abject poverty yet the issue was debated extensively by the House during the Budget Speech early this year.

Khumalo moved that the DPM was required to give a report to the House on how government was planning to pursue or execute the resolution of the House on the matter within seven days. When moving the motion, MP Khumalo submitted that the poverty situation was discussed by the House previously, which was a sign that it was a national issue as it affected almost all the constituencies in the country. Also, Khumalo said, he had engaged with the DPM and the latter shared what she was willing to do. Khumalo said the reality in the country was that poverty was persisting and affecting many families.

In vernacular he said, “Live lilambile. Sive silambile,” which means, “The country is starving, the citizens are hungry”. He said if he were to request all MPs to share their experiences with vulnerable citizens there was a lot that would come out. Also, he said he was sure that none of the MPs could come out and say that they had never been faced with a situation whereby they had to take from the little they had just to assist poverty-stricken families. “I would have to clap hands with that MP because it would mean that they are lucky. Where I come from, you witness poverty in the morning when you wake up and at the end of the day. Now, we can only do so much as parliamentarians but there is a government that is in place and has to play its part,” he said.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/146616-motion-for-govt-to-provide-foodstuff-for-hungry-passed.html

 

eSwatini turns to nuclear technology to transform agriculture, health care, energy

By Nokukhanya Musi, Voice of America, 17 August 2024

SOURCE 

Manzini: Eswatini has launched an initiative to achieve sustainable development by harnessing the power of nuclear technology in such sectors as agriculture, health and energy planning. The plan was developed with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The aim of the Country Program Framework, or CPF, launched two weeks ago by Eswatini Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela, is to leverage nuclear technology for social and economic development. Its key focus areas are energy security, food security and human health, aligning with the country’s National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Bongekile Matsenjwa, a chemical engineer and engineering manager for the Eswatini National Petroleum Company, believes the partnership between Eswatini and the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, can help the country make well-informed decisions about its energy future.

“Access to clean, affordable and safe, reliable energy is an important ingredient for the sustainable development of the country,” he said. “I believe that this partnership can help Eswatini to make knowledgeable decisions on energy supply options with the help of energy planning so the country ... can independently chart our national energy future.”

Sonia Paiva, a sustainable agriculture expert and advocate for nuclear technology, who was a panelist at the COP28 U.N. Climate Change Conference, believes Eswatini’s focus on nuclear technology is happening at the perfect moment, as the country has already established policies around the topic and is now moving toward implementation.

“The whole world is looking to see how we can make our planet a better place to live in,” she said.

In addition to its potential benefits in agriculture and energy, Dr. Mduduzi Mbuyisa, a medical doctor, believes this technology has immense potential to improve the health care system in Eswatini.

“Nuclear medicine has a potential to ensure our diagnostic capabilities such that it helps us to take clearer pictures and help us in advanced imaging because we [are] using what we call PET or SPECT, which help to improve the care and overall health care system," he said. It will also ... help develop new skills and open up new career opportunities.”

Eswatini’s venture into nuclear technology is part of a larger trend of African countries seeking to harness the benefits of this technology. Against the backdrop of rising energy demands and climate change concerns, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a potential solution.

 

Tear gas bus incident, truth can’t be denied

Comment by Thobeka Manyathela, Times Sunday, 18 August 2024

SOURCE 

The events in Eswatini are currently quite shocking.

Allegations that tear gas was thrown into a bus carrying members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) to Mbabane in October 2021 have been verified. One of the buses that transported the teachers from Pigg’s Peak to Mbabane was operated by Classic Bus Service and was intercepted by the police at Nkoyoyo. The police then threw tear gas canisters into the bus and shot rubber bullets at the trapped educators when they tried to flee. Despite the long-standing complaints from the teachers’ organisation, the police and government have consistently denied that such an incident ever occurred.

Despite all these bare denials, the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity, which was investigating this matter, has finally compiled a report of its findings and went on to make recommendations. Although it took them a whole two years to compile a 22-page report, that is a story for another day. In its report, the commission reveals that it interviewed 18 teachers separately and all of them were in agreement as to what exactly transpired that fateful day. Even the driver of the bus corroborated their story.

According to this report, some buses, including the one in question, had stopped at a certain spot near Nkoyoyo. Officers from the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) of the police spotted them and drove at high speed towards where they were, against oncoming traffic. The police did not issue any order or instruction for the buses to turn back. Instead, tear gas canisters were discharged as soon as the police officers were close to the buses. When all the people who were on the bus tried to escape to avoid suffocation, they were shot with rubber bullets. Apparently, after such an inhumane act against unarmed professionals, the police left without assessing if any of them required medical attention. The teachers were only assisted by Good Samaritans who transported them to hospitals.

According to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) report, the Police Commissioner at the time did not deny that tear gas was used against the teachers. The only aspect he did not agree with was that tear gas was thrown into the bus. It has now been confirmed that tear gas was indeed thrown into that bus, in what the Human Rights Commission describes not only as excessive force but also a violation of workers’ rights. The incident was described as inhumane, cruel and degrading. This does not reflect well on the country’s image, especially at a time when the country is trying to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and aiming to be counted among developed nations in the near future.

No serious investor would want to set up a business in a country where unarmed workers are shot at and tear gas is thrown into a bus while they are inside it! I am aware of the allegation by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) that the shot workers were unruly and pelted the police with bottles of alcohol. The police also argue that the workers’ union had been warned against organising any gathering at that time and that the means used to disperse the workers were proportionate to the circumstances and ‘within the ambit of the law.’ Is throwing tear gas in a confined space like a bus, where someone with asthma could have choked to death, really within the ambit of the law? The HRC’s report found that the police acted in a manner that threatened or violated the rights of workers, including the right to life and protection from inhumane or degrading treatment.

Comply

Additionally, the report stated that this was a violation of the right to freedom of association and assembly, which workers in all democratic countries are entitled to. The National Commissioner of Police’s assertion about the ‘ambit of the law’ was contradicted by the HRC’s finding that the police did not fully comply with the law, which requires them to give advance notice of prohibition of a gathering, allowing for review by a magistrate. In conclusion, this was an opportunity for the government to reflect and strive to do better in upholding workers’ rights.

Unfortunately, Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, seems to be ignoring this issue, much like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. It seems that Buthelezi is hoping that the issue of gross violation of the teachers’ rights and their shooting with rubber bullets will be forgotten over time – without any consequences or compensation. How can we trust a government that ignores such blatant issues? It’s a joke that government is not being held accountable for its actions.

This is unfair to the teachers, some of whom still bear emotional and physical scars from this incident. Interestingly, when Buthelezi addressed the International Labour Organisation (ILO) back in June, he vehemently denied that teargas was thrown into a bus with passengers. His exact words were, “It has been alleged that some workers were teargased in the past. Nothing of that sort happened. The government or the police have never thrown teargas at a bus full of workers.” However, he did not specify if teargas had been thrown in a bus full of non-workers, and if so, whether that would have been justified. Nonetheless, he seemed very confident in his statement at the annual conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

It will be interesting to hear what Minister Buthelezi will say next June when he and the representatives of Eswatini workers return to Geneva to attend the same conference.
Will he dispute the findings of the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration, a reputable government agency? Will he ultimately admit that wrongs were committed, take full responsibility and promise accountability on behalf of the government? Minister Buthelezi, will you take responsibility on behalf of the government and show remorse towards the teachers who were hurt, so that the people may at least see you as trustworthy?

We appreciate the establishment of a task team to work on the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) regarding the concerns raised by Eswatini workers during the last conference in Geneva. The timing of its announcement, around the same time the HRC report came out, was interesting. However, we hope that the task team will not contradict the Human Rights Commission report, which Minister Buthelezi says he has not seen and, therefore, cannot talk about. Any contradiction would be scandalous and could result in citizens losing confidence in government structures.

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

Find us:

Blog: https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/142383985790674

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com  @Swazimedia

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 840 – 16 August 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 840 – 16 August 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.

 

Task team to probe workers’ rights violation claims

By Timothy Simelane, Times of eSwatini, 13 August 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Government has assembled a high-powered task team to investigate the alleged violation of workers’ rights, as concluded by the recent International Labour Conference.

The task team will conduct its functions backed by the Commissions of Enquiry Act. This year was the 16th time Eswatini came under discussion for allegedly violating the same International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention. The conclusions of the conference dealt with a number of alleged workers rights violations, such as the alleged harassment in the education sector involving the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Mbongwa Dlamini, and the teargassing of workers in a bus. They also included the brutal murder of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko, who represented workers on legal issues and alleged physical attacks of trade unionists such as Sticks Nkambule, General Secretary of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), who fled the country.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi announced a 14-member committee comprising of government office bearers. It will be chaired by Principal Secretary in his ministry, Makhosini Mndawe, while members include Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Lomvula Hlophe, Assistant Attorney General Mndeni Vilakati, Principal Secretary of the Ministry Housing and Urban Development Dr Simon Zwane and others. The minister said the task team had been empowered by Cabinet, among other things, to verify the allegations that were made during the discussion of the country in Geneva, by summoning and examining witnesses under oath. It will also demand disclosure of information, documentation, and book, including conducting site inspections, in terms of Section 11 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act.

It will also co-opt any relevant government ministry, department or institution, including inviting officials from the ILO, as may be necessitated by the need to validate and/or obtain clarities in the implementation of the ILO conclusions, comments or recommendations. The team will also consult with social partners and other relevant stakeholders. The minister said government had exerted enormous effort to enhance relations with the social partners, including attendance to various workers’ events, such as May Day. “Government was taken aback by the discussion of the country during the recent International Labour Conference, wherein the country was accused of violating ILO Convention 87. “This discussion was viewed by government to have been premature and constitute a major setback to the concerted efforts of reaching out to join hands with the labour movement to promote the spirit of tripartism and social dialogue on worker-related issues,” he said.

Buthelezi said government committed itself to addressing the conclusions of the Conference. “As a result, Cabinet has deemed it proper to appoint a Government Technical Task Team to consider with a view to address, the conclusions that were adopted by the Conference in June.  During the 112th session of the annual International Labour Conference, government was among the list of 24 countries, which were discussed by the Conference Committee on Application of Standards (CAS), wherein the government was requested to provide information regarding the implementation of Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (1948), ratified by Eswatini on April 26, 1978.

 

Activists call for ‘decisive’ SADC action on crisis-ridden eSwatini ahead of Harare summit

By Victoria O’Regan, Daily Maverick (South Africa), 13 August 2024

SOURCE 

Activists calling for political reforms in Eswatini have urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take decisive action to deal with the deteriorating situation in the kingdom, ahead of the 44th SADC Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, this week. 

In a 1 August letter addressed to the SADC Secretariat and its member states, the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) – a coalition of political parties and civil society pro-democracy organisations – called on the regional bloc to “intensify its engagement with the Eswatini government” and apply “pressure to ensure that the recommendations previously made by SADC are fully implemented”.

“As the 44th SADC Summit approaches, we implore you, the Heads of State and Government, to take decisive action to address the deteriorating situation in Eswatini. The time for collegial approaches has passed; SADC must now assert its position firmly and revive the stalled and prolonged efforts to resolve the situation in Eswatini,” the letter read. 

“Despite numerous recommendations from SADC and the international community, the Eswatini government continues to violate the fundamental civil rights of its citizens, contravening several SADC protocols and charters.”

The group listed its demands, which include a “genuine, inclusive dialogue” with the Eswatini government, civil society, unions, political opposition and the regional community “to chart a path forward”; the SADC monitoring the government’s implementation of its recommendations and the status of civil rights in the country by requesting detailed reports from the Eswatini government; and the SADC ensuring these reports are made public.

Speaking to Daily Maverick, MSF spokesperson Sivumelwano Nyembe said the forum viewed the implementation of a “national dialogue to be of urgency”. The MSF has, for years, called for an “internationally mediated dialogue” with the primary aim of reforming the current political system in the country and ushering in a new constitution that guarantees multiparty democracy.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-13-eswatini-activists-call-for-sadc-action-on-crisis-ridden-nation/

 

Government wins Supreme Court appeal against assassinated human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and other political activists

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 13 August, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Thulani Rudolf Maseko,the assassinated eSwatini human rights lawyer has lost a Supreme Court case declaring provisions of the Suppression of Terrorism unconstitutional.

The lawyer who was allegedly assassinated by King Mswati’s mercenaries for demanding democracy, had challenged the constitutionality of the Suppression of Terrorism Act together with Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the late former PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and current Deputy Secretary General(DSG) Maxwell Dlamini.

But Government successfully appealed Judge Mbutfo Mamba’s judgement declaring some provisions of the Supression of Terrorism Act unconstitutional.

Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala,Justice JM Van Der Walt, Justice JM Currie, Acting Justice MJ Manzini and Acting Justice LM Simelane ruled that, the fact that PUDEMO was proscribed without being afforded the right to be heard does not mean provision of the Supression of Terrorism Act should be declared unconstitutional.

“The underlying reasoning essentially boils down to this-because the Respondents we’re not afforded an opportunity to be heard before PUDEMO was declared a specified entity, sections 11(1) and (2) of the STA Act are invalid and unconstitutional, since they have been declared “terrorists” without being heard. As indicated earlier, the above reasoning conflates the process of proscription without a criminal trial. Whether or not Respondents were afforded an opportunity to be heard before PUDEMO was proscribed as a specified entity is a separate issue. Moreover, could the Majority have reached a different conclusion if none of the Respondents had admitted to be members of PUDEMO?. It is implicit in the reasoning of the Majority that in the latter instance, no infringement would have been found to exist”,  reads the Supreme Court judgment in part that upheld the appeal and dismissed the application by Maseko and others.

Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned and declared as terrorists for demanding democracy while human rights defenders, political activists, independent journalists and  pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) are arrested, tortured or even killed.

Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the human rights lawyer who was among those challenging the constitutionality of the Supression of Terrorism Act that is used against those demanding democracy, was assassinated allegedly by King Mswati’s mercenaries and a few hours after King Mswati threatened those calling for democracy.

Before Government declared PUDEMO as a terrorist entity, King Mswati issued an order directing the then Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini to ensure that,citizens calling for democracy are strangled to death.

As a result of the King’s order, Sipho Jele, a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) was allegedly arrested and subsequently killed by the inside prison,the judgement was delivered by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

 

Complete restoration of police service through prayer

By Crime Watch, eSwatini Observer, 14 August 2024

SOURCE 

The National Commissioner of Police – Vusie Manoma Masango believes in the complete restoration of the Royal Eswatini Police Service as a law enforcement agency through heavenly intervention.

Masango revealed this during a thanksgiving prayer service for a successful Police Day celebration held at the Police Academy last week Wednesday. He stressed the importance of giving thanks to the Almighty God for a perfect Police Day, quoting the scripture from Luke 17, whereby the only leper who went back to Christ was completely restored.

“We are praying for the complete restoration of the police organisation,” he said.
The police chief stated that the thanksgiving service a completion of a sequence of prayer services was that preceded the Police Day celebrations.

He recognised and appreciated the legacy and vision of the then acting national commissioner for seeking divine intervention for a successful Police Day. He expressed sincere gratitude to all the men of the clergy who were responsible for sharing the Word of God during the services.

The national commissioner noted that the policing mandate demands that officers be guided by the Almighty God and not rely on human intelligence in the performance of duty. He said divine intervention is important because police cannot successfully combat crime on their own accord.

He said police officers need to individually and collectively seek the Lord’s intervention and guidance in the execution of the policing mandate.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22628

 

Spokesperson Percy Simelane says King Mswati not in any way involved in secret ship dealings with sanctioned Russia, hoisting of flag not authorised

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 9 August, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: King Mswati is not, in any way involved in ships dealing with Russia, his Spokesperson Percy Simelane has clarified.

The King’s Spokesperson was responding to this Swaziland News on Thursday evening after being asked to clarify allegations contained in an article published by News24 suggesting that, ships with eSwatini flag, assisting Russia to transport oil and other goods “have been banned” by the United Arab Emirates(UAE).

“To the best of my knowledge, we have no ships anywhere in the seas as a country. We have not authorized any hoisting of our flag or Blue Peter on any ship or boat anywhere in the world”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

It has been reported that, the eSwatini flag “is now on a list that restricts calls to UAE ports and waters”,’ according to a government circular posted on the Port of Fujairah website, Eswatini was allegedly colluding with Cameroon to assist Russia amid United States (US) sanctions. 

“Vessels sailing under both flags have transported oil for Moscow after it assembled a shadow fleet of ships to help keep sanctioned supplies moving. The ban won’t apply to ships assessed by a wider international classification body. Flag states are key to maintaining safety standards in global shipping. For oil tankers, Liberia and the Marshall Islands are among the largest providers, but after the invasion of Ukraine a series of less well-known flags emerged, with questions about the strength of their safety standards. Eswatini-formerly Swaziland-is a particularly new player, with no ships sailing under its flag in 2023, according to Clarkson Research Services, a unit of the world’s largest ship broker. That number is now at 26 ships, though not all of them would be tankers. Of 18 Eswatini-flagged ships visible in ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, the ownership of 16 is unclear. Several tankers on that list have hauled oil produced in Russia and Iran, according to Kpler data”, News24 reported.

 

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

Find us:

Blog: https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/142383985790674

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com  @Swazimedia