Swaziland Newsletter No. 811 – 26
January 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.
No justice for murder of eSwatini activist
By
Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, Human Rights Watch
January
21 [2024] marks one year since human rights lawyer and opposition activist
Thulani Maseko was brutally killed in his home in front of his wife
and two young children in Eswatini. Maseko championed democratic reforms in
Eswatini and played a key role in the country’s transitional political process
amid widespread protests in June 2021.
One year
later, Maseko’s killers have yet to be apprehended and there is no indication
that the government has undertaken a credible investigation, despite a
government statement on December 29, 2023, that the
police are prioritizing Maseko’s murder and the killings of others following
the June 2021 civil unrest.
Instead
of providing answers to his family, the government’s statement made untrue,
accusatory and defamatory remarks against Maseko’s widow, Tanele Maseko. This
came after Tanele delivered a speech accepting the Outstanding Human
Rights Lawyer Award on behalf of her late husband at the 2023 Magnitsky Human Rights Award.
In her
speech, Tanele spoke of the trauma she and her children experienced watching
their husband and father killed before their eyes. She blamed King Mswati III
for her husband’s killing and called for people to join the #JusticeForThulani
campaign and support the Thulani Maseko Foundation, which continues Maseko’s
legacy of promoting human rights and democracy in Eswatini.
Hours
before Maseko’s murder, King Mswati III warned those calling for democratic
reforms that mercenaries would deal with them. The government has denied
allegations of involvement in Maseko’s killing.
Since his
brutal murder, Eswatini’s regional and international partners and civil society organizations have repeatedly called on the
government to conduct an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation. If
investigations are indeed underway, as the government says, they should ensure
transparency and accountability for the family instead of intimidating Maseko’s
widow, who is merely seeking answers for her husband’s killing.
See also
Eswatini authorities accused of
attempting to silence Justice for Thulani campaign
Govt cuts communication with Zwemart, ‘Swaziland News’
By Ntombi Mhlongo, eSwatini
News, 20 January 2024
MBABANE: Despite having declared him a terrorist over a year ago, it is
only yesterday that government cut communication ties with Editor Zweli Dlamini
and his online publication, the Swaziland News.
The cutting of the ties means that government employees, in their
official capacity, and chief executive officers (CEOs) of state-owned
enterprises (SOEs) or parastatals are no longer expected to entertain the two
and government will monitor if there is compliance regarding the issue.
Through a press statement issued by Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo,
government notified the nation of its position to discontinue, with immediate
effect, communication with certain proscribed entities, particularly Dlamini
and the online publication. Interestingly, the spokesperson is reported to have
recently applauded the editor for giving government a platform to offer clarity
on certain issues.
In the statement issued yesterday, Nxumalo said Dlamini and his
publication were declared ‘specified entities’ through Legal No.261 of 2022 in
line with the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008 in that they allegedly
‘knowingly facilitated the commission of terrorist acts’.
Such a stand has happened 17 months after the declaration of the two
being terrorist entities was made. It was in June 2022 that government,
through the then Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, made the declaration and
branded Dlamini and his publication terrorist entities for among other things
allegedly threatening to kill police officers and instigating violence.
The declaration was made in terms of the Section 28 (2) of the
Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008. But despite that the former PM said the
declaration was with immediate effect, government, through its departments and
subsidiary enterprises entertained the editor in various ways, including
responding to questionnaires he sent or interviews he set up to balance his
articles.
In particular, the Office of the Government Spokesperson, Alpheous
Nxumalo, gave the online editor his attention.
Besides Nxumalo, the King’s Office, through Director of Communications
Percy Simelane, entertained the online editor and this gave the insinuation
that government continued to recognise him as a journalist.
In the press statement announcing the cutting of the communication ties,
Nxumalo said government had since issued a circular memorandum to all
government ministries, advising all its officials and employees to desist from
communicating and or responding in any form or method to such entities and
individuals, including on social media platform facebook and others.
To read more of this report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/143537-govt-cuts-communication-with-zwemart-swaziland-news.html
See also
Govt amplifies ban on
Zwemart, Swaziland News
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=21886
OPINION: Government
Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo desperate to have his expiring contract renewed, stopping
public officials from commenting will not prevent publication of stories.
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=5905
Govt ‘regrets’ Percy’s reaction to
Zwemart ban
Communist
Party of Swaziland (CPS) member Bongnkosi Nkambule charged with terrorism as
Mswati intensifies crackdown against pro-democracy activists who were leading
political unrest
By
Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 19 January, 2024
MBABANE: Bongnkosi ‘Bongo’ Nkambule, a
member of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) has been charged with
terrorism as King Mswati’s Government intensifies crackdown against
pro-democracy activists, University students and human rights defenders who
were leading the recent political unrest.
Nkambule who appeared in court this week, has
been arrested and charged for allegedly burning a police vehicle and a national
flag, the State alleges that this, amounts to terrorism.
The CPS is one of the most active
political parties on the ground in the fight against King Mswati’s autocratic
rule.
Political parties are banned in eSwatini
and human rights defenders and independent journalists are arrested, tortured
or even killed for demanding democracy.
In January 2023, King Mswati allegedly
unleashed his mercenaries and security forces to assassinate human rights
lawyer Thulani Rudolf, the Chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder
Forum (MSF).
Don’t
open schools, parents back SNAT
By
Sifiso Nhlabatsi, eSwatini Observer, 22 January 2024
Parents have backed the Swaziland National
Association of Teachers in calling for schools opening to be delayed.
The Eswatini Schools Committee and Parents
Association (ESCAPA) in a press briefing with SNAT yesterday reiterated the
teachers call because there were a number of issues that government must first
address.
Among the main issues discussed was the
call for an Education Indaba where everyone would present his side.
SNAT revealed that it had an axe to grind
with the Examinations Council of Eswatini, issues which could be discussed and
addressed if an Education Indaba was held.
Other issues include the introduction of
Free Primary Education in Grade Zero, hiring of teachers and paying contract
teachers have been raised by SNAT before when making their first call to delay
the opening of schools.
Schools are expected to open tomorrow for
the first term of the academic year.
Representing parents were the ESCAPA
President, Cedric Chirwa and Deputy President, Sisana Mamba while SNAT was
represented by its President, Mbongwa Dlamini and Secretary General, Lot
Vilakati.
The organisations also revolved that they
would today visit the ministry of education and training where they intend
tabling their concerns on why schools should not be opened
tomorrow. The ESCAPA deputy president said despite reports that
government had started disbursing orphaned and vulnerable children funds, when
she checked her account nothing reflected as the balance was from the schools
coffers since last year.
“Overgrown vegetation is still a constant
sight in most schools and many other issues, which shows the poor state of
preparedness in schools. It is totally incorrect that government has disbursed
OVC funds to schools,” Mamba said.
She said children should not go to school hungry.
The deputy president said children had performed poorly and teachers were
blamed yet they could not work. “I do not see teachers achieving quality
education while schools are still faced with the challenges they are facing
now,” Mamba stated. She said by the look of things government was not
ready to open schools.
“We need enough teachers in schools not
robots,” she further stated. This was in response to government wanting to
introduce artificial intelligence onto the education system. The robot
will deliver educational content, provide personalised instruction, and
facilitate learning experiences.
lamented
The ESCAPA president decried that
stakeholders should have been consulted on this.
Parents further lamented the four-year
high school programme saying it was not properly introduced.
The ministry of education has introduced
the programme in 32 schools as a pilot project.
The project aims to establish if learners
could successfully complete the Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary
Education in four years instead of five.
Chirwa went on to state that before the
programme was implemented there was a need to engage in thorough discussions
with the relevant stakeholders.
“It does not help for you to just come and
implement or shove a project down our throats yet claim we are on board in
these issues,” he stated.
To read more of this report, click
here
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=21888
eSwatini law students champion justice
By Adekunle Owolabi, Diplomatic Watch, 20
January 2024
MBABANE: Law students at
the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) are embarking on a journey to uphold human
rights and carry the torch of non-violent activism, thanks to a collaborative
initiative by the U.S. Embassy, the Coalition of Atinga NGOs (CANGO), and
UNESWA’s Legal Aid Clinic.
The initiative, fueled by the inspiring legacy of celebrated human
rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, aims to equip students with the knowledge and
passion to champion justice for the most vulnerable. Through engaging events
and workshops, students are exploring career paths in human rights law and
learning to navigate the complexities of advocating for fundamental freedoms.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with UNESWA and CANGO in nurturing
the next generation of human rights defenders,” stated CDA Piper of the U.S.
Embassy. “UNESWA’s Legal Aid Clinic plays a vital role in ensuring access to
justice for those who need it most, and this initiative further strengthens the
foundation for a just and equitable society in Eswatini.”
A recent event saw students join forces with CANGO, the
Multi-Stakeholder Forum, and the Legal Aid Clinic to screen the #MLK55
documentary. This powerful film sparked discussions on creating safe spaces for
open dialogue about human rights, fostering a culture of community service,
empowering youth, and promoting tolerance.
“The #MLK55 screening ignited a fire within us,” shared Sabelo Dlamini,
a UNESWA law student participating in the initiative. “It’s not just about studying
the law; it’s about using it as a tool to transform lives and build a better
future for Eswatini.”
Ashraf
lifts lid on health crisis
By
Sibusiso Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 24 January 2024
Swazi Pharm Director Kareem Ashraf has
blown the whistle on the health crisis, describing it as 'self-created'.
The crisis, according to Ashraf, was not
only about shortages, but also about mismanagement and what he termed ‘criminal
negligence’ within the ministry of health.
Ashraf said the situation was critical and therefore, immediate action was
imperative to prevent further loss of lives.
The businessman questioned the
decision-making processes that perpetuated this cycle, decrying that it leaves
companies like Swazi Pharm in a precarious situation.
The heart of his complaint centred on
government orders being placed with suppliers lacking stock, often at
exorbitant costs, while leaving suppliers with stocked inventory at the
agreed-upon tender prices.
Ashraf, who took over ownership of the
pharmaceutical distribution company and long-time supplier of medicinal drugs
to government last year, made this assertion during a handover event of a
donation of E1.8 million worth of drugs to the health ministry, which he said
was the company's contribution to dealing with the prevailing lack of crucial
medications in public health facilities.
The health crisis has led to a public
outcry, prompting government to initiate a forensic audit investigation into
alleged irregularities concerning the requisition, acquisition, and
distribution of medicinal drugs to public health facilities.
The businessman recognised government's
attempts to implement short and long-term strategies, but took a critical turn,
exposing what he deemed a 'self-created' crisis.
“We wonder why Emaswati's lives are being put at such risk when medical drugs
are stocked at suppliers?” he said.
The businessman said they were troubled
that hospitals were grappling with a surge in infant mortality rates when the
company was awarded an intensive care tender intended for maternity and ICU use
in neonates and infants worth E80 million.
To read more of this report, click
here.
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=21897
Hunger
crisis: ‘Now I can take care of my own family’
News
and Press Release International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 23 January 2024
A three-year partnership with the EU in
the southern African nation of Eswatini is improving food security through cash
assistance, climate-smart farming and epidemic prevention
In the Lubombo region of Eswatini, near
the town of Big Bend, 39-year-old Bongani Masuku looks over at his field of
maize. He just harvested a section last week.
“But there is still work to do,”
Bongani says and starts working the land.
Lubombo is one of the hottest areas in
Eswatini. As Bongani weeds his field, the temperature has already risen to over
34 degrees.
“I remove the weeds so that my maize
will grow properly,” he says. “If I let the weeds take over, the
seedlings would grow to be very thin and not offer good harvest.”
Earlier in the season, Bongani attended an
agricultural training, after which he received a cash grant of around 70 euros.
He invested the money in maize seeds that are more resilient to drought, as
climate change has made rains more irregular and increased drought.
Around 70 per cent of Eswatini’s
population are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. This is
why the changing weather conditions are extremely concerning.
“The recent heatwaves have really made
farming more difficult. The maize should not receive too much sunlight when it
is blooming. Rain is important at that stage. The last time the maize was in
bloom there was no rain at all, so my harvest was smaller than I expected.”
The maize field has a great significance
to Bongani. “This allows me to feed my family, but also to sell some of the
crops and get money,” he adds. “This money helps me put my children to
school. I have five children with my darling wife. Now I can buy them
schoolbooks and other school supplies, like pens. If I make enough money, I can
also buy them shoes to wear to school.”
Like elsewhere in Southern Africa, people
in Eswatini are suffering from a severe and prolonged food security crisis that
began in 2015.
The drought caused by the El Niño
phenomenon, further strengthened by climate change and the irregular rains and
floods ever since, have damaged harvests year after year.
Bongani is one of the 25,500 people
included in the three-year project funded by the European Union to improve food
security by means of cash assistance. In addition to the Finnish Red Cross, the
project includes the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society and Belgian Red Cross
Flanders.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://reliefweb.int/organization/ifrc
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