POLICE CALL NAIDOO PANEL ‘ANARCHISTS’

Swaziland’s police chief Isaac Magagula has accused a discussion panel led by Jay Naidoo of trying to cause ‘anarchy and instability’ in the kingdom. 

Police, acting without warrants or a court order, broke up the meeting at the George Hotel, Manzini, last Friday (6 September 2013) and deported panel members from Swaziland.

The meeting was to be a Global Inquiry Panel on trade union rights and democracy in the Swaziland, where the main workers’ federation and political parties are banned and King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The inquiry was an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland and South Africa’s Congress of South African Trade Unions to hear workers’ accounts of their experiences in order compile a report to be taken to the International Labour organisation for the Committee on the Application of International Standards.

The panel was to be chaired by Jay Naidoo, former General Secretary of COSATU and former Minister in the South African Government under the President Nelson Mandela.

Police National Commissioner Magagula told media in Swaziland, ‘We wish to state that as far as our careful analysis of the bigger picture is concerned, the organisers are being economical with the truth in relation to the actual purpose of the meeting.  This is because all factors surrounding it suggest that it was not merely intended to discuss bread and butter issues for workers, but it was part and parcel of a broader agenda to further ulterior political motives aimed at breaching the peace and causing anarchy and instability in the country.’

 The Times of Swaziland, the only independent daily newspaper in the kingdom, reported, ‘He said it was striking that the Global Inquiry Panel had attributes of the Global Week of Action on Democracy in Swaziland. 

‘He said the Global Week of Action on Swaziland was conceived with motives that undermine the peace and security of the country.

‘The Commissioner said the meeting was likely to shift the focus of the nation from the ongoing elections process and thereby cause confusion and instability, particularly “given that members of the certain proscribed entities had made threats to sabotage the process.”’

Various trade unions all over the world staged activities in support of trade unionists in Swaziland and the global week of action led by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and its campaign wing, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC).

The police action was criticized globally as an attack on the constitutional rights of Swazi people to freedom of assembly.

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POLICE RAID TO STOP UNION MEETING

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MASS POLICE ARRESTS TO HALT MEETING

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POLICE RAID TO STOP UNION MEETING

Swaziland police and paramilitaries broke into a hotel room where an inquiry into trade union rights was taking place and ordered it to stop.

The police then ordered all participants who were not Swazi subjects to leave the kingdom.

The South African labour federation COSATU reported the raid happened this morning (6 September 2013) at the George Hotel in Manzini.

COSATU reported the Swazi Police stopped the Chair of the inquiry, Jay Naidoo and his fellow paneliststs from proceeding with the Inquiry.

It said in a statement, ‘A contingent of Swazi police and paramilitary led by Manzini Regional Police Commander entered the hotel room where the inquiry is being held and demanded that the chair of the Inquiry, Jay Naidoo and the whole panel stop and pack all their belongings and leave Swaziland.

‘It is expected that they shall be deported anytime soon.’

It added, ‘The inquiry is an initiative of the ITUC [International Trade Union Confederation], TUCOSWA [Trade Union Congress  of Swaziland] and COSATU to hear workers’ accounts of their experiences and sufferings in order compile a report to be taken to the ILO [International Labour organisation] for the Committee on the Application of International Standards.’

The panel was part of a Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland.

COSATU said the panellists were Jay Naidoo, former General Secretary of COSATU and former Minister under the Mandela Presidency; Bishop Paul Verryn of the Methodist Chruch and South African Council of Churches and anti-apartheid activist; Alec Muchadehama, Human Rights lawyer and activist from Zimbabwe; Ms Nomthetho Simelane, former lecturer of Political Science at the University of Swaziland; together with COSATU delegate Monk Molapeni.

It added the raid followed the arrest at his office of the Secretary General of TUCOSWA, Vincent Ncongwane, yesterday morning by 10 police officers from the Lukhozi Serious Crime Police in Manzini.

He was later placed under house arrest to prevent him taking part in a prodemocracy march in the Swaziland capital, Mbabane.

COSATU said, ‘They [police] emphasised that the reason is that TUCOSWA is banned in Swaziland and therefore an illegal entity.’

Various trade unions all over the world are staging activities in support of TUCOSWA and the global week of action led by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and its campaign wing, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC).

In the UK, the TUC yesterday met the Swazi High Commission in London and raised these issues decisively, demanding the unconditional release of all those arrested and the unbanning of TUCOSWA.

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MASS POLICE ARRESTS TO HALT MEETING

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MASS POLICE ARRESTS TO HALT MEETING

Swazi police arrested all members of an international panel of experts who were due to meet today (6 September 2013) to debate the role of trade unions in Swaziland.

They raided the George Hotel in Manzini where they were staying at 2am after earlier trailing them from the airport near Matsapha.

The panelists were due to take evidence and then present their findings after the hearing. They were expected to highlight the role and responsibility of trade unions and civil society in fighting against the violation of fundamental rights in Swaziland.

The South African trade union federation COSATU reported that the panel was to consist of Alec Muchadehama (human rights lawyer and activist from Zimbabwe), Paul Verryn (ordained minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, anti-Apartheid activist and advocate for refugees in South Africa) and Nomthetho Simelane (former Lecturer in Political Science, University of Swaziland). 

It was to be chaired by Jay Naidoo, founding General Secretary of COSATU and former Minister of Communications for South Africa. 

COSATU reported, ‘Representatives from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) were questioned and subsequently tailed from the airport to the George Hotel in Manzini, where the panel was to meet. By 2am the place was buzzing with activity with police all over the hotel; they even asked staff about the panellists, all of whom were then arrested.’

The arrests followed the detention earlier yesterday (5 September 2013) of Vincent Ncongwane, Secretary General of the Swaziland labour federation TUCOSWA. He was taken by police from his office and placed under house arrest to prevent him taking part in a pro-democracy march in Mbabane, the Swazi capital.

The march and the panel meeting were both parts of a Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland that is presently taking place.

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DEMOCRACY MARCH: LEADER ARRESTED

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DEMOCRACY MARCH: LEADER ARRESTED

One of Swaziland’s most prominent labour leaders Vincent Ncongwane was arrested today (5 September 2013) at his office by at least 10 police officers to stop him taking part in a democracy march.

Reports from the kingdom say Ncongwane, who is Secretary General of the banned union federation TUCOSWA, was arrested ahead of the planned march in the Swazi capital, Mbabane. 

Police took him to his home where he was put under house arrest for an undetermined time.

The march is part of a week of campaigning in Swaziland and abroad to draw attention to the lack of democracy and human rights in the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, who is sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

Reports circulated by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), a banned organisation in Swaziland, say police said the march was ‘prohibited’ because TUCOSA was not an organisation recognised by the government.

Political parties are not allowed to operate in Swaziland and many pro-democracy groups, including PUDEMO and the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), have been prohibited as ‘terrorist’ groups under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

The march was to be part of a Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland. Earlier joint organisers the Swaziland National Union of Students, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC), predicted 10,000 people would take part.

Prodemocracy campaigners also plan to run what is billed as a ‘people’s summit’ in Manzini tomorrow (6 September 2013) with the intention to profile the boycott of the national so-called ‘Tinkhundla election’ that will take place on 20 September.

The Swazi people are not allowed to elect a full parliament. Instead, they select 55 members of the House of Assembly. The King appoints another 10 to make the total of 65 members.

They cannot elect any of the 30-member Senate. The king appoints 20 of these and the other 10 are elected by members of the House of Assembly.

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MASS ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY PLANNED

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BORDER BLOCKADE FOR DEMOCRACY

The South African trade union confederation COSATU plans to force a blockade of Oshoek and Matsamo border posts with Swaziland in solidarity with pro-democracy activities in the kingdom.

It is to support the Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland and will take place on 6 September.

It has also announced support for a picket at the Swazi Consulate in Johannesburg on the same day.

In a statement COSATU said Swazi people had rejected the so-called tinkhundla elections currently taking place in Swaziland as undemocratic and a ‘royal circus’. It said the elections were, ‘managed by an incompetent, discredited and sycophantic bunch of [King] Mswati’s puppets called the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).’

King Mwsati rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. All political parties are banned from the election and the parliament is widely seen outside of Swaziland as powerless.

Separately, a march is planned in the Swaziland capital Mbabane, jointly organised by the Swaziland National Union of Students, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC), on 5 September 2013.

In a statement, organisers predicted 10,000 people would take part in the march.

On 6 September, the SUDF and the SDC also plan to run what is billed as a ‘people’s summit’ in Manzini with the intention ‘to profile the boycott of the Tinkhundla election and provide an alternative’.

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MASS ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY PLANNED

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MASS ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY PLANNED

Organisers of a march for democracy in Swaziland say they expect 10,000 people to take part.

Marchers hope to deliver petitions to various government ministries calling for among other things a people’s parliament; quality jobs and affordable education, health and social services.

The march in Mbabane, jointly organised by the Swaziland National Union of Students, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC), is part of the annual Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland and is due to take place on 5 September 2013.

In a statement, organisers predicted 10,000 people would take part in the march. It is one of a series of events planned during August and September.

On 6 September, the SUDF and the SDC hope to run what is billed as a ‘people’s summit’ in Manzini with the intention ‘to profile the boycott of the Tinkhundla election and provide an alternative’.

It is doubtful that the police in Swaziland will permit this summit to go head. In March and April police broke up prayer meetings, a public meeting and a rally that were all designed to discuss the election.

Last year, heavily armed police invaded the Bosco Skills Centre, Manzini, to break up a similar summit.

The election is due on 20 September and is largely recognised outside of Swaziland to be undemocratic. Political parties are banned from taking part and the parliament that is elected has no powers as these are held by King Mswati III, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

Opposition to the election is not permitted in Swaziland and leaders of protest activities have been arrested and some charged with sedition.

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POLICE FIRE TEARGAS TO STOP STUDENTS

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DEMOCRATS WANT S. AFRICA H.C. RECALLED

Five of Swaziland’s biggest prodemocracy groups have demanded the South African Government recall its High Commissioner from the kingdom after he appeared to publicly support King Mswati III’s autocratic regime and undermine their own campaign for multiparty democracy.

They were joined in the call by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

The new South African High Commissioner to Swaziland, Happy Mahlangu, was widely reported in the Swazi press seeming to support the present regime. Swaziland has been ruled under Royal Proclamation for 40 years, when in 1973 King Sobhuza II abandoned the country’s constitution and began to rule by decree. The proclamation has never been rescinded and today his son, Mswati III, rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

Elections are due to be held in Swaziland later this year, but democracy groups are urging a boycott because political parties are banned and the Swazi parliament has no real powers.

When Mahlangu went to present his credentials to King Mswati, the Swazi Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by the king, reported him saying, ‘I further wish to make use of this opportunity to express South Africa’s best wishes to Your Majesty and the people of Swaziland for success during the forthcoming elections. I also want to assure you of South Africa’s support regarding the Swaziland Elections.’

The Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper, reported him saying, ‘It would be folly to force things on the people of Swaziland. It is the people of Swaziland who should decide whether they want multiparty democracy. I think South Africans believe that the best way of representation is multiparties yet that is not the case.’

‘They have to understand the different types of democracies of the world, in particular in the African continent.’

Six prodemocracy groups in a joint statement said, ‘We believe that the South African Government must recall the High Commissioner and provide him with a comprehensive briefing and then assess his suitability for the post.  His most recent statements do not inspire the confidence of the peaceful democratic movement.’

The groups were the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), Swaziland Democracy campaign (SDC), and COSATU.

The groups said Mahlangu needed to learn the realities of life in Swaziland.

They said, ‘At present, peaceful democracy activists are languishing in miserable prison conditions without charge or credible evidence against them while awaiting the possible imposition of harsh sentences for sedition. Many Swazis continue to suffer in exile, while those in Swaziland are prevented from holding meetings, marches or any gatherings and are instead beaten and humiliated for expressing their views about their country.  

‘The trade union federation, TUCOSWA, is banned and their leaders were arrested and prevented from celebrating Workers Day just this year. The only “crime” these democracy activists are guilty of is to speak out that democratic norms be accepted in Swaziland.

‘Not only are the Swazi people subjected to appalling levels of poverty, but they are also robbed of resources, both land and finances that should be placed at their service. The regime is considered to be one of the most corrupt in the world.’

They added, ‘Repression in Swaziland is well documented and makes up a major part of the submissions that were made to the UN’s International Labour Conference and other international gatherings. These respected institutions have in turn consistently criticised the Swazi regime for trampling on the fundamental human and civil rights of the people of Swaziland.’

The statement said Mahlangu was out of step with his own government, which last year denied a financial bailout to the regime pending moves towards democracy and with his own ANC party, which last week said, ‘The democratization of Swaziland must preoccupy the work of the African National Congress and all progressive forces as we call for the release of political prisoners, return of exiles and free political activities in that country.’

He was also out of step with, ‘[T]he Commonwealth, the United Nations, the SADC guidelines and protocols on elections democracy and constitutionalism, and a global array of respected human rights organisations who have painstakingly catalogued the abuses of the current Swazi regime.’

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SWAZILAND ‘BECOMING MILITARY STATE’

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/swaziland-becoming-military-state.html

SWAZI POLICE NOW ‘A PRIVATE MILITIA’

Police in Swaziland are now a ‘private militia’ with the sole purpose of serving the Royal regime, leading pro-democracy campaigners have said.

This follows police action that yesterday (12 April 2013) broke up a public meeting to discuss the lack of democracy in the kingdom. 

About 80 armed police stopped the meeting taking place at a restaurant in Manzini, the main business city in Swaziland. Police, who did not have a court order for the action, said the meeting ‘presented a threat to national security’.

The meeting was to mark the 40th anniversary of the Royal decree made in 1973 by King Sobhuza II that turned Swaziland from a democracy into a kingdom ruled by an autocratic monarchy. The existing constitution was abandoned and King Sobhuza announced he could make any that laws he saw fit.

The decree has never been rescinded and today Sobhuza’s son King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

In a statement the joint organisers of the meeting, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC), said, ‘The police action did well to vindicate us in our constant observation that the 1973 decree destroyed a national police service and instead left us with a private militia with no other purpose but to serve the unjust, dictatorial, unSwazi and ungodly, semi-feudal royal Tinkhundla system of misrule.’

The statement said the 1973 decree ‘criminalised’ all political activity and concentrated all power to the monarchy, the armed forces, intelligence services and the Swaziland Royal Police.

It said the police had no court order for their action and ‘went out of their way to forcefully, aggressively and abruptly stop the peaceful national debate’ that would have taken place at the meeting.

It added that a police service ‘should uphold justice, human dignity and protect all sections of society in accordance with the law’.

Last week, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) reported that recently Swaziland police and state security forces had shown ‘increasingly violent and abusive behaviour’ that was leading to the ‘militarization’ of the kingdom.

OSISA told the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) meeting in The Gambia, ‘There are also reliable reports of a general militarization of the country through the deployment of the Swazi army, police and correctional services to clamp down on any peaceful protest action by labour or civil society organisations ahead of the country’s undemocratic elections.’

See also

SWAZILAND ‘BECOMING MILITARY STATE’

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/swaziland-becoming-military-state.html

POLICE BAN DEMOCRACY PUBLIC MEETING

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/police-ban-democracy-public-meeting.html

POLICE TRY TO STOP MEETING - PIX

Photographs of police near the Greater Alpha restaurant in Manzini, where they are intent on stopping a public meeting to discuss democracy in Swaziland taking place.

Pictures sourced from Swaziland  Democracy Campaign Facebook site.

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ARMED POLICE BLOCK PUBLIC MEETING

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