Swaziland Army fires at, stops, U.S. diplomatic vehicle against international rules during prodemocracy protests

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Army fired on a United States embassy diplomatic vehicle and later tried to search it at a road block.

It happened during the recent prodemocracy protests in which as many as 40 people were reported killed by security forces, it was revealed on Thursday (8 July 2021).

The US Embassy in Mbabane confirmed the incident after reports circulated on the Internet.

On Twitter it said, ‘We can confirm shots were fired at an embassy vehicle on July 1 and we informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the incident via diplomatic note—a standard form of communication btwn diplomatic missions & MFA. We are working closely with the MFA to address the incident.’

Previously the note from the US Embassy had circulated on the Internet. It read in part, ‘a soldier in the Eswatini Defence Forces shot three live rounds at a US diplomatic vehicle, with one round striking the vehicle.

‘Additionally, soldiers stopped the same vehicle at a second checkpoint, pointed weapons at the vehicle, and attempted to search the vehicle in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.’

The Swazi Government, which is not elected by the people but appointed by King Mswati III who rules as an absolute monarch, has made no public statement on the incident.

For weeks campaigners had been marching on local government offices to deliver petitions calling for democratic reform. Political parties cannot contest elections and groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

In a separate statement released on Thursday, the US Embassy urged the King, the Government and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ‘listen to the concerns of all stakeholders and to facilitate genuine dialogue to open the space for reform.’

See also

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

Swaziland U.S. Embassy closes as prodemocracy unrest spreads across kingdom

The United States Embassy in Swaziland (eSwatini) is to stay closed on Wednesday (30 June 2021) in reaction to the civil unrest sweeping the kingdom and a curfew imposed by the Swazi Government.

In a ‘security alert’ published on social media it stated, ‘Civil unrest continues in eSwatini, including the burning and looting of stores, cars and businesses.’

Prodemocracy campaigners have been marching across the kingdom, especially in rural areas, delivering petitions at local government offices.

Swaziland is not a democracy and is controlled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and the King appoints the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. Groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Last week Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku, speaking for the King, banned all protest demonstrations. This was largely ignored and protests continued. They want widespread political reforms and the right to elect their own Prime Minister.

On Tuesday (29 June 2021), Masuku announced a curfew from 6pm to 5am to take place with immediate effect.

Following this the US statement said, ‘All fights out of KM111 international airport have been suspended until further notice.’

It added, ‘Internet service is expected to degrade as Internet Service Providers have been told to shit down. Cell phone service is still available but data services (WhatsApp) will be spotty if existent at all.’

It added the US Embassy would remain closed through Wednesday 30 June 2021. Embassy staff have been directed to stay at home.

See also

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-democracy-protests-continue.html

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

A curfew has been imposed across Swaziland (eSwatini) as prodemocracy protests intensify and unconfirmed reports say absolute monarch King Mswati III has fled the kingdom.

The Swazi Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced on Tuesday (29 June 2021) there would be an immediate curfew between the hours of 6pm and 5am.

He said in a statement, ‘All offices must be closed by 3:30pm to allow workers to get home safely. Essential workers will be required to produce a permit when travelling at night. No one is expected to be in the streets after 6pm.’

Schools will be closed with immediate effect, he said.

Last Thursday Masuku, speaking on behalf of the King, banned all protest marches but they continued unabated.

There have been reports across the kingdom of violence between police and protestors. Live ammunition has been fired by police and there are reports across social media of injuries among protestors.

Swaziland is not a democracy. King Mswati rules as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and the King chooses the Prime Minister and government cabinet ministers as well as top judges and civil servants. Groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

In his statement, Masuku warned protestors, ‘Our security forces are on the ground to maintain law and order.’

On Tuesday morning the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and other media outlets published unconfirmed reports that King Mswati had fled Swaziland.

See also

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

 

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-democracy-protests-continue.html

 

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), fled the kingdom after prodemocracy campaigners defied his order to stop protest marches, according to unconfirmed reports.

The South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported on Tuesday (29 June 2021) that he had left but details were ‘still sketchy’. It said thousands of people had taken to social media after reports that he had fled the kingdom ‘after pro-democracy protests turned into chaos’.

The Swaziland News, an online newspaper, reported the King ‘fled’ on Monday evening.

It said he had also ordered the arrest of two members of parliament who supported the protestors.

Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and the King chooses the Prime Minister and government cabinet ministers as well as top judges and civil servants. Groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Protestors have marched across the kingdom – mostly in rural areas – to deliver petitions at local government centres calling for widespread reforms. Among them is a demand they be allowed to elect the prime minister.

Themba Masuku, the Swazi Acting Prime Minister on Thursday speaking on behalf of the King, issued a ban on all protest marches but many went ahead over the weekend in defiance.

The Swaziland News reported on Tuesday, ‘It has been disclosed that the army was deployed to control the situation at Matsapha on Monday evening a few minutes after the King fled using his private jet. The soldiers immediately started opening fire and the exact number of causalities could not be ascertained at the time of compiling this report, protests are expected to intensify on Tuesday night with protestors targeting King Mswati and Government properties.’

It added, ‘An effort was made to contact King Mswati directly on his mobile phone for a comment after his Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini avoided questions several times, however, both numbers of the King not available on the network at the time of compiling this report and his whereabouts remain unknown.’

Later on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Masuku issued a satement saying the King ‘is in the country’. He promised updates on the situation in the kingdom ‘as the day progresses.’

See also

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-democracy-protests-continue.html

 

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

Pro-democracy protests continued across Swaziland (eSwatini) despite a ban on marching imposed by the kingdom’s absolute monarch.

Marches took place in at least 10 locations – mainly in rural areas.

Police fired teargas and live ammunition in an attempt to disperse protestors. There were many injuries, including to two journalists.

Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and the King chooses the Prime Minister and government cabinet ministers as well as top judges and civil servants. Groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Campaigners who marched on Friday (25 June 2021) and Saturday called for wholesale political reforms and want to elect their own prime minister.

Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku on behalf of the King had declared marches to deliver petitions illegal and the National Commissioner of Police William Dlamini warned police would show ‘zero tolerance’ and ‘unleash the full might of the law’ against anyone defying the ban.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), a prodemocracy group banned in the kingdom, reported, ‘The most violent protests occurred at Siphofaneni where police once again retreated immediately after infuriating the local population. In the aftermath of that clash the road passing though the town was completely closed as trucks were burnt. This was eerily similar to what occurred at Msunduza the previous day.’

Wonder Dlamini, a journalist for the eSwatini Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by the King, was shot with a teargas cannister at close range at Lugongolweni.

Andile Langwenya, a reporter for the online publication Independent News, eSwatini, was hospitalised after being tear-gassed by police at Msunduza. Sifiso Sibandze, Independent News Editor, said, ‘Police should stop employing hooliganism tactics when doing their job.’

At Msunduza, the Observer reported, ‘Teargas canisters were also shot in all directions and to nearby residential places and in the absence of the Red Cross volunteers, journalists were forced to assist some children who were overwhelmed by the teargas by whisking them to safety.’

The Observer also reported, ‘The protests that broke out across the country seemingly fuelled an ongoing conversation about police brutality and political reforms in the country. Previous protest marches had been calm and the protesters spoke of their frustration over being led by an unelected prime minister among a litany of many grievances.

‘The issue of the elected PM had been foremost, with other grievances becoming only ancillary. The manner in which the protests quickly escalated into a national occurrence reflected long standing frustrations and rage by communities.’

 

See also

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

King Mwati III, the absolute monarch in Swaziland (eSwatini), has banned public pro-democracy demonstrations in the kingdom.

Thousands of protestors have marched mainly in rural areas across Swaziland over the past weeks. More marches were planned for the coming days.

Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and groups advocating democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. The King appoints the Prime Minister, and top government ministers. He also appoints senior judges and civil servants.

The protestors want widespread reforms including political parties to be allowed to contest elections and the right to elect their own prime minister and government.  They had been marching on local government centres known as tinkhundla to deliver petitions.

Themba Masuku, the Swazi Acting Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the King on Thursday (24 June 2021) said marches to deliver petitions would be banned with immediate effect.

‘The full might of the law will take effect to anyone who will continue to ignore the rule of law,’ he said.

He added there would be ‘zero tolerance’ shown to those who break the order.

Later, Mlungisi Makhanyamo president of the Peoples’ United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), one of the leading pro-democracy groups that is banned in Swaziland, said a planned march to deliver a petition in Mbabane on Friday would go ahead. 

See also

Pro-democracy protests sweep rural Swaziland

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/pro-democracy-protests-sweep-rural.html

Swaziland democracy leaders lose High Court case against police raids on legal technicality

Prodemocracy campaigners in Swaziland (eSwatini) who had their homes raided and property seized by police lost their High Court case calling the raids unconstitutional on a legal technicality.

Police acting on warrants from the Manzini and Mbabane magistrates courts raided homes of members of the newly-formed Political Parties Assembly (PPA) in December 2019.

Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) President Sibongile Mazibuko; Chairman of Sibanhle Sinje National Movement Musa Nkambule; People’ United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Secretary General Wandile Dludlu and President of the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA), Jan Sithole argued the warrants had been issued illegally.

Laptops, phones and other devices were confiscated by police in the raids.

High Court Judge Nkosinathi Maseko dismissed their application saying they should have gone to the magistrates’ court to have the warrants overturned. Only if the magistrates refused to do this, should they approach the High Court.

Previously the High Court had blocked the police from proceeding with arrests on the strength of the warrants they obtained. Judge Maseko said this was no longer in force.

After the decision, Jan Sithole told the Swaziland News, an online newspaper, the PPA leaders would attempt to appeal the High Court ruling.

Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. In the Swazi political system known as tinkhundla parties are barred from taking part in elections and groups calling for democracy are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. The King appoints the Prime Minister and government members as well as top judges and civil servants.

Following the raids the Swaziland United Democratic Front, one of the groups targeted, in a statement circulated on social media said, ‘This comes weeks after the all progressive formations in the country resolved to unite under the banner of the Political Party Assembly to fight against the Tinkhundla regime. This led to the start of a campaign that was dubbed #MSWATI MUST FALL and has since been gaining momentum and meeting equal resistance from the autocratic regime.’

At the time the Southern Africa Litigation Centre in a statement said, ‘We are concerned by the actions of the police, which appear to be targeted at those activists who have been prominently involved in protests relating to workers’ rights and who have been promoting multi-party democracy and government accountability in the country.’

See also

Swaziland police in mass raids on homes of democracy activists, some detained

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-police-in-mass-raids-on-homes.html 

Police question Swaziland political leader amid fears of treason charge

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-political-leader-questioned.html
 

Swaziland ex-Govt minister in hiding after calling on absolute monarch to hand over power

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-ex-govt-minister-in-hiding.html

Swaziland democracy activists tell High Court police raids on their homes illegal

Four democracy campaigners in Swaziland (eSwatini) whose homes were raided by police and had phones and other gadgets confiscated appeared in the High Court to argue that the raids were illegal.

They said the search warrants used were not valid.

The four were Sibongile Mazibuko, Musa Nkambule, Jan Sithole and Wandile Dludlu. They are leaders of various political groups in Swaziland where King Mswati III rules as absolute monarch. They all belong to the recently-formed Political Parties Assembly (PPA). Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and groups that campaign for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Police raided homes of political activists across Swaziland after warrants were issued on 25 November and 19 December 2019. 

The four said that the search warrants were illegal because they did not specify what the police were looking for. They also said the warrants were issued by magistrates who did not have authority to do so.

The case was heard on Wednesday (8 January 2020). A ruling is expected on 24 January 2020.

The Swaziland United Democratic Front, one of the groups targeted in the police raids, in a statement circulated on social media at the time, said, ‘This comes weeks after the all progressive formations in the country resolved to unite under the banner of the Political Party Assembly to fight against the Tinkhundla regime. This led to the start of a campaign that was dubbed #MSWATI MUST FALL and has since been gaining momentum and meeting equal resistance from the autocratic regime.’

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre in a statement said, ‘We are concerned by the actions of the police, which appear to be targeted at those activists who have been prominently involved in protests relating to workers’ rights and who have been promoting multi-party democracy and government accountability in the country.’

See also

Swaziland police in mass raids on homes of democracy activists, some detained

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-police-in-mass-raids-on-homes.html 

Swaziland police say they raided democracy activists’ homes for ‘state security’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-police-say-they-raided.html

 

Police question Swaziland political leader amid fears of treason charge

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-political-leader-questioned.html

 

Swaziland ex-Govt minister in hiding after calling on absolute monarch to hand over power

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-ex-govt-minister-in-hiding.html

Swaziland police hunt activists behind banner saying absolute king ‘must fall’

Police in Swaziland (eSwatini) are hunting for the people who were involved in carrying a banner during a protest that said absolute monarch King Mswati III ‘must fall.’

It happened during a demonstration organised by the recently-formed Political Party Assembly (PPA) when a banner reading ‘#MSWATI MUST FALL’ was carried.

Dissent is stamped on in Swaziland where political parties cannot contest elections and groups advocating for democracy are outlawed by the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Royal Eswatini Police Service National Commissioner William Dlamini told a media conference that police had not given permission for the banner to be used and it would not be allowed to be seen at any future march.

The Observer on Saturday, a newspaper in effect owned by the King, reported he said, ‘The truth is that we’re investigating the matter. The banner was carried by individuals on the day and the law will take its course. It shows that those people carrying the banner had planned for an opportunity to raise it such that when the police realise the damage the message would have already been disseminated.’

The newspaper said a man who was carrying a banner had been taken in by police. 

The Observer added, ‘He [Dlamini] said, however, this is not the end as they would continue with their investigations and get to the bottom of such acts.’

The slogan ‘#MSWATI MUST FALL’ is being used by the PPA as part of its campaign for reforms in the kingdom.

Three of the group’s leaders were detained by police on 12 December 2019 when they tried to lead a march through the industrial town of Matsapha aimed at drumming up support for the PPA.

Protest marches are routinely banned in Swaziland where freedom of assembly is severely curtailed.

The PPA consists of political parties including the Ngwane National Liberation Congress (NNLC), the Communist  Party of Swaziland (CPS), the Swazi Democratic Party (SDP) and the People’s  United Democratic Party (PUDEMO). 

In a statement the PPA said it wanted to end the kingdom’s form of government, known as Tinkhundla, or monarchical democracy. They wanted power returned to the people. 

PPA stated, ‘We unanimously observed that the royal project Tinkhundla has reached a point of no return in dragging down our dignity and stretching beyond  limits our patience as a people.’

The announcement came days after it was revealed the King had taken delivery of at least 15 Rolls-Royce cars for his wives and family and 79 luxury BMW cars worth US$6 million for ‘escort duties’.

PPA said, ‘Brazen looting and plunder of national resources by the monarchy have reached levels unmatched in history, plunging our people into unbearable conditions as witnessed through escalating cost of living, crisis in education and health, high unemployment as well as poor general service delivery.’

The banner the police have banned

See also

Democracy leaders detained by Swaziland police as illegal march halted

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/democracy-leaders-detained-by-swaziland.html

 

Swaziland political parties unite in bid to end absolute king’s power

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-political-parties-unite-in.html 

Swaziland police say they raided democracy activists’ homes for ‘state security’

A newspaper in Swaziland (eSwatini) in effect owned by the absolute monarch King Mswati III has confirmed that police raids on homesacross the kingdom were to seek out political activists.

The Observer on Saturday, part of the eSwatini Observer group, reported, ‘Police have intelligence on state security that has required the conducting of raids at homesteads belonging to political activists and the bringing in for interviews at their stations of these activists who are leaders of different political groupings.’

It reported a press conference given by Royal Eswatini Police Service National Commissioner William Dlamini after the raids on Friday (20 December 2019).

Leaders of at least five pro-democracy groups were taken to police stations and interrogated. All were released but phones, laptops, tablets and other devices were kept.

Political activity in Swaziland is severely curtailed. Parties are banned from taking part in elections and groups advocating democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. The King rules as an absolute monarch in a political system known as Tinkhundla.

The Observer reported Dlamini said they were seeking ‘information’ from those questioned. It quoted him saying, ‘We’re taking action on information that is not criminal per se.’

He said police raids on homesteads were routine in Swaziland. The Observer reported, ‘He said had it been through their choice, they would conduct the raids on a daily basis because that is what assists decrease crime throughout the country.’

He denied that only political activists were raided but there have been no reports of any people not connected with the prodemocracy movement being taken in for questioning.

The raids were reported by media across the world. Reuters reported, ‘Police Commissioner William Dlamini told reporters the police had “invited some individuals to assist us in our enquiries pertaining to state security information”’.

The Swaziland United Democratic Front, one of the groups targeted, in a statement circulated on social media said, ‘This comes weeks after the all progressive formations in the country resolved to unite under the banner of the Political Party Assembly to fight against the Tinkhundla regime. This led to the start of a campaign that was dubbed #MSWATI MUST FALL and has since been gaining momentum and meeting equal resistance from the autocratic regime.’

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre in a statement said, ‘We are concerned by the actions of the police, which appear to be targeted at those activists who have been prominently involved in protests relating to workers’ rights and who have been promoting multi-party democracy and government accountability in the country.’

It added, ‘We call on the government to respect its citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and to end the harassment of the leadership of political parties and trade unions. We further call on the government to release all persons who are currently in custody because of their criticism of the monarchy, including Goodwill Sibiya, who has been detained since May 2019.’

See also

Swaziland police in mass raids on homes of democracy activists, some detained

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-police-in-mass-raids-on-homes.html 

Police question Swaziland political leader amid fears of treason charge

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-political-leader-questioned.html
 

Swaziland ex-Govt minister in hiding after calling on absolute monarch to hand over power

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-ex-govt-minister-in-hiding.html