Swaziland Newsletter No. 934 – 10 July 2026

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 934 – 10 July 2026

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. The newsletter and past editions are also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary blogsite.

93% girls in rural areas already moms

By Kwanele Sibiya, eSwatini Observer, 6 July 2026

SOURCE 

An estimated 93% of girls under the age of 18 living in rural communities are already mothers.

This has raised alarm over the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and the vulnerability of young girls across the country.

The figures were revealed by Colani Hlatjwako, the Africa Regional Coordinator of the One Billion Rising Campaign on Thursday during the closing session of the three-day Chiefs’ Summit held at Esibayeni Lodge.

Hlatjwako said the One Billion Rising Campaign, which is active in 42 tinkhundla centres across the country, was working closely with chiefs and women community support groups to address gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortions, amongst others.

She said the organisation recently conducted research in the Manzini region to establish the underlying causes of teenage pregnancies and abortions.

She said according to the findings, men were identified as the primary drivers of unintended pregnancies, with many women indicating that they have little control over reproductive decisions within relationships.

“The women we interviewed told us their partners decide whether they should have children or not,” Hlatjwako said.

She added that the research also found that many women remain financially dependent because of high unemployment, making it difficult for them to negotiate issues relating to contraception and family planning.

She said according to the research, about 93% of young girls under the age of 18 already have children in the rural areas.

Hlatjwako expressed concern that, despite the law criminalising sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, very few perpetrators were ever brought before the courts.

“Having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18 is a criminal offence, yet our research found that no one is arrested for such,” she said.

She attributed this largely to fear among victims, saying many children lack confidence in the justice system and believe the law did not adequately protect them.

She further noted that while legislation permits survivors of rape to access lawful termination of pregnancy, many girls encounter delays in accessing the service.

“Our findings show that some children only receive these services when the pregnancy is well advanced, making the process even more traumatic while others would give birth without accessing the services,” she said.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/93-girls-in-rural-areas-already-moms/

 

From assassination target to refugee — the heavy price of defending eSwatini human rights

By Timothy Fish Hodgson and Kaajal-Ramjathan Keogh, The Daily Maverick (South Africa) republished from The Nation (eSwatini), 6 July 2026

SOURCE 

Prominent Eswatini human rights lawyer Maxwell Nkambule has been granted asylum in France, highlighting the escalating state-sponsored terror, violence, and assassinations targeting the kingdom’s legal professionals.

On 11 May, after a long and arduous process, the French authorities recognised Maxwell Nkambule, a well-known Eswatini human rights lawyer, as a refugee.

Nkambule’s asylum application included information about an assassination attempt made on his life, documented in the International Commission of Jurists’ 2025 report “No Situation is Permanent: Repression, Intimidation, Harassment and Killing of Lawyers in Eswatini”. Relying on this report, as well as information provided by a range of other international and local organizations, and on a communication to the Eswatini authorities by the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, he told the French authorities that his life — and that of others in a similar position — was at risk simply for providing legal representation in cases considered political and/or controversial by the Swazi authorities.

The Eswatini government has yet to respond to the communication issued by the Special Rapporteur (dated 7 April 2025), nor did it engage with her during her visit to the country for the purpose of holding dialogues with Eswatini human rights lawyers later the same month.

In a letter responding to questions raised to the minister of justice and constitutional affairs by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) before the publication of its report, the minister said, “Eswatini endeavours to provide a safe and respectful environment for everyone to exercise their human rights in the ambit of the law.”

Seemingly responding directly to the case of Nkambule, the minister continued: “However, there was once a report to the police by a lawyer that he was allegedly followed by an unknown foreign-registered motor vehicle and felt his life was under threat. Subsequent to that, investigations were instituted, but unfortunately nothing came out due to insufficient facts.”

The letter concluded: “To be precise [there is] no repression and harassment of lawyers in the Kingdom of Eswatini.”

The minister’s response provided cold comfort for human rights lawyers in the country. It flies in the face of the evidence documented by the ICJ, accepted by the UN Special Rapporteur as credible, and relied upon by the French authorities in Nkambule’s asylum application.

Lawyer Maxwell Nkambule. (Photo: International Observatory of Lawyers / Wikipedia)

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-06-from-assassination-target-to-refugee-the-heavy-price-of-defending-eswatini-human-rights/

 

One Billion Rising eSwatini calls upon all emaSwati to unite against GBV

By Gcwalisile Mhlabane, eSwatini Positive News, 8 July 2026

SOURCE 

MBABANE: As the Kingdom of Eswatini continues to experience a troubling increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, with reports of domestic abuse, sexual violence and killings dominating headlines over the past few weeks, One Billion Rising Eswatini has called upon all emaSwati to unite in confronting the scourge and building safer communities.

The call was made by Colani Hlatshwayo, the Africa Regional Coordinator for One Billion Rising and National Director of Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) – Eswatini, who said ending violence requires a collective commitment from families, communities, men, institutions and leaders.

Speaking on Kusile Breakfast on July 8, 2026, Hlatshwayo said the continued reports of abuse highlight the need for society to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable people and creating environments where everyone feels safe.

She said the current situation should encourage emaSwati to work together in finding lasting solutions to GBV through prevention, awareness, support systems and accountability.

“These numbers and the cases we continue to witness in Eswatini are deeply concerning. As a nation, it places us in a position where we must ask ourselves what more we can do to strengthen our programmes and ensure we are effectively fighting this scourge,” Hlatshwayo said.

The GBV advocate said one of the major challenges in addressing violence is that many cases happen within homes, involving people who are known and trusted by victims.

She said this makes it important for communities to strengthen protection networks and ensure that victims are supported when they seek help.

“This violence is mostly perpetrated by people who live together with the victims, meaning it largely happens within homes. We are talking about people who are supposed to protect them, but instead become the source of harm,” she said.

Hlatshwayo noted that GBV affects not only survivors but also families, children and communities that are left to deal with the emotional and social consequences of abuse.

She called for stronger mechanisms to ensure that victims who report abuse receive the necessary protection and support.

To read more of this report, click here

https://eswatinipositivenews.online/one-billion-rising-eswatini-calls-upon-all-emaswati-to-unite-against-gbv/

 

An emotional wait for water nears its end for communities in eSwatini's Manzini region

African Development Bank, 2 July 2026

SOURCE 

For generations, the scarcity of water has dictated the rhythm of daily life across Eswatini’s Manzini Region.

In Nhlambeni, Manzini South, Mthongwaneni, Mafutseni, and Manzini North, thousands of families have built their daily routines around the absence of reliable water. Daily life has meant:  long treks to rivers and seasonal springs, harvesting rainwater, waiting for water tankers, rationing the water received, and quietly negotiating for late-night borehole access.

In some areas, families have had to share water sources with livestock - a daily compromise between necessity and health.

That long routine of hardship is now drawing to a close.

 In March 2024, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini launched the construction of the Manzini Region Water Supply and Sanitation Project backed by financing from the African Development Bank Group.

The project includes a modern water treatment plant with a capacity of 25 million litres per day, supported by transmission mains and reservoirs capable of storing 21 million litres. Crews are also laying more than 350 kilometres of distribution networks, along with up to 14 water kiosks and 20 public sanitation facilities, to bring clean water closer to communities. The initiative supports Eswatini’s broader goal of achieving universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.

Access to at least basic drinking water services in Eswatini is 80.4 per cent, while access to safely managed drinking water services is 38.2 per cent. Access to at least basic sanitation services is 64.5 per cent, compared with 60.8 per cent for safely managed sanitation services. These stark figures highlight why the Manzini expansion is critical to bridging the gap.

With construction now 92% complete, the transformation is already visible. Water supply hours have been extended, and pressure has surged across several neighbourhoods due to interconnections bridging the old and new supply networks.  When the project launches later this year, it will provide clean, reliable water services to approximately 35,000 people, transforming daily life for families across the project footprint.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/emotional-wait-water-nears-its-end-communities-eswatinis-manzini-region-95149

 

Public calls for background checks on church leaders

By Phiwase Phungwayo, Saturday Observer (eSwatini), 4 July 2026

SOURCE 

Members of the public have called for the introduction of mandatory, regular background checks on religious leaders in the country, following the arrest of a pastor accused of murdering multiple women.

Community members, civil society voices and social commentators say the case involving Pastor Nkosingiphile Zwane has raised urgent questions about accountability within religious institutions, particularly where leaders occupy positions of trust and moral influence over congregants.

The calls come after police confirmed that Zwane, a pastor and community police member from Mfabantfu, was arrested by Sigodvweni Police and has been charged with rape and murder.

Investigators allege that he lured some of the victims through Facebook, reportedly promising them money and employment opportunities.

Authorities from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) said four women were recently recovered from a water canal at Mfabantfu in Matsapha. Police confirmed that all the victims had been strangled before their bodies were dumped in the canal, adding that investigations are ongoing and the matter is now before the courts.

Members of the public on this publication’s social media platform, including users Thando Maseko and Sipho Dlamini, have also contributed to the growing debate, calling for stricter vetting processes for individuals who lead congregations or hold positions of moral authority.

They said background checks should not only be conducted at the point of appointment but should also be repeated periodically to ensure continued suitability for such roles. Some social media users argued that religious institutions should not rely solely on initial screening processes, saying that ongoing monitoring could help prevent individuals with criminal intent from remaining in positions of influence.

They added that churches and faith-based organisations must take greater responsibility in ensuring the safety of their congregants, particularly vulnerable women and young people.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/public-calls-for-background-checks-on-church-leaders/

 

See also

Church distances itself from shamed pastor (eSwatini Observer)

https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/church-distances-itself-from-shamed-pastor/

 

 

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Swaziland Newsletter No. 769 – 17 March 2023

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 769 – 17 March 2023

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.

Ntuthuko to spend 20 years in jail

By Nkosingiphile Myeni, eSwatini Observer, 16 March 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To read more of this report, click here

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

See also

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

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

 

Ntuthuko recalls: from MP, minister, now inmate

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

 

Over 400 EFF members buried Katsande

By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek 12 March, 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

SOURCE

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Assassination attempt and harassment of Eswatini lawyer Maxwell Nkambule

Statement from Lawyers for Lawyers, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guarantee the safety and physical integrity of Mr. Nkambule;

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

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

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

 

Kidney disease claims 200 lives in 12 months

By Nomfanelo Maziya, eSwatini Observer, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To read more of this report, click here

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

 

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

By Pavan Kulkarni, Peoples Dispatch, 10 March 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To read more of this report, click here

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

 

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

By Kwanele Sibiya. eSwatini Observer, 11 March 2023

SOURCE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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