Swaziland Govt broke: up to 1,000 prisoners could be freed from jail early

As many as 1,000 prisoners in Swaziland / eSwatini could be released from jail before the end of their sentences because the government cannot afford to keep them locked up.

The move follows reports that His Majesty’s Correctional Services that run jails in the kingdom could not afford to feed all inmates. Electricity has been cut off because of unpaid bills and water has been rationed.

The Swazi Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by King Mswati III who rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch, reported on Wednesday (13 March 2019) that between 600 and 1,000 inmates could be released.

According to official figures from Swaziland published by World Prison Brief, Institute for Criminal Policy Research, as of March 2015 the prison population in Swaziland (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners) was 3,610.

The Observer reported Correctional Services Deputy Public Relations Officer Mandla Sibiya saying special boards would meet to decide who could be freed before the end of their sentences.

The newspaper reported Sibiya said through these early releases the Correctional Services ‘would save a lot of money that was otherwise spent on food and utilities’.

Swaziland is broke and public services across the kingdom have been cut. Children are going hungry at because school feeding programs financed by the government have run out of money. 

In February 2019 it was reported food had run out at Hlatikhulu Government Hospital and patients were fed thin porridge. Previously, it was reported Mbabane Government Hospital had run out of food because of unpaid bills and patients only had apples and juice.

Health services across Swaziland are in crisis. In September 2018 it was reported at least six children in Swaziland had died from diarrhoea and many more were sick because the government was broke and could not pay for vaccines. It would cost US$6 for the vaccine to immunise a child.

See also

Children at risk of food poisoning as Swaziland Govt’s financial crisis continues

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/01/children-at-risk-of-food-poisoning-as.html

 

Probe into ‘inhumane’ jail conditions

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/probe-into-inhumane-jail-conditions.html

JAIL DISTURBANCES ACROSS SWAZILAND

There are reports of disturbances in jails in Swaziland and inmates are accused of brutality against warders.

It is claimed that new inmates have formed gangs and warders from jails across the kingdom have been moved to two institutions at Sidwashini and Bhalekane to increase security.

One inmate at Bhalekane has asked a court to move him for his own safety.

There have been at least two incidents where inmates rioted because they were served with poor food. This was at Sidwashini and Bhalekane. At Sidwashini, media in Swaziland report, untrained warders were sent in to help restore peace. At Bhalekane one warder had to be taken to hospital after an alleged attack.

His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), Commissioner General Isaiah Mzuthini Ntshangase told the Sunday Observer (7 January 2018) the officer was trying to serve breakfast to the inmates when they kicked the tray down and assaulted him on the head with an enamel dish. 

The newspaper reported Ntshangase saying, ‘The officer was severely injured and had to be taken to hospital. All this is part of the unlawful activities that the gang members are currently engaging in. One wonders why this officer was assaulted because he had not even provoked the inmates; he was innocently serving them breakfast and they pounced on him.’

He said members of gangs at Bhalekane vandalised property including beds to make handmade weapons to attack warders.

The Swazi Observer said on Wednesday (10 January 2018) there were ‘widespread reports of brutality’. It said security had been ‘beefed up’ in facilities, ‘where such acts of violence are rife’. 

The newspaper said one inmate through his lawyers was asking the courts to transfer him to another correctional facility. It said, ‘The inmate claims he no longer feels safe at Bhalekane and the matter is pending in court.’

It said warders stationed in institutions around the kingdom such as Nhlangano and Big Bend had now transferred to increase security at Sidwashini and Bhalekane.

Meanwhile, five inmates who are believed to be part of the controversial gang known as the 26s have been charged with common assault after they allegedly assaulted another inmate at Zakhele remand centre. They allegedly beat him with fists and kicked him before stabbing him with a toothbrush.

They appeared at Manzini Magistrate’s Court where they said they had been denied the opportunity to get a lawyer. They were remanded back into custody.

See also

JAIL INMATES ‘BEATEN FREQUENTLY’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/jail-inmates-beaten-frequently.html

SWAZI JAIL RIOT OVER NO BREAD

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/swazi-jail-riot-over-no-bread.html

PROBE INTO CORRUPTION AT SWAZI JAIL

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/probe-into-corruption-at-swazi-jail.html

 

PROBE INTO ‘INHUMANE’ JAIL CONDITIONS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/probe-into-inhumane-jail-conditions.html

JAIL INMATES ‘BEATEN FREQUENTLY’

A suspect told a magistrate in Swaziland that inmates at the Sidwashini correctional facility were ‘frequently assaulted’, a newspaper in the kingdom reported.

The Swazi Observer reported (28 December 2017) the suspect whom it only named as Masuku made a statement ahead of his trial. The newspaper reported, ‘Court attendants listened in stunned silence as Masuku informed Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini, that he had been severely assaulted by warders at Sidwashini correctional facility.

‘He said he suffered bruises on his body due to the heavy beating he was subjected to by the officers.

‘“Your Worship I have been assaulted by warders at Sidvwashini and I kindly seek your intervention.  Please assist me by asking them to take me to hospital. I also seek assistance in reporting the officers who abused me to either the police or the Human Rights Commission so that appropriate action can be taken against them,” he said.’

The Observer said, ‘He singled out one officer whom he said had made it clear that should he report the assault to the magistrate, he would deal with him when he returned to the facility after the court appearance.’

The newspaper said one of the warders when questioned, ‘sarcastically told the magistrate that Masuku should behave himself if he wanted to be treated well at the facility’.

The magistrate told the warders to take Masuku to hospital. Magistrate Dlamini added, ‘I am also ordering you to stop threatening him by telling him that you will sort him out if he informs the court that he has been beaten. That is wrong.’’

The case was adjourned to 5 January 2018.

Sidwashini was in the news in December 2017 when untrained correctional facility officer recruits were said to have been sent in to help quell a riot over lack of bread.

 

See also

SWAZI JAIL RIOT OVER NO BREAD

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/swazi-jail-riot-over-no-bread.html

PROBE INTO CORRUPTION AT SWAZI JAIL

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/probe-into-corruption-at-swazi-jail.html

 

PROBE INTO ‘INHUMANE’ JAIL CONDITIONS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/probe-into-inhumane-jail-conditions.html

SWAZI JAIL RIOT OVER NO BREAD

Prison inmates in Swaziland reportedly rioted because of food shortages. They were given sour porridge because there was no bread.

Untrained correctional officer recruits were sent to deal with the incident at Sidwashini Correctional facility, according to the Swazi Observer newspaper (27 December 2017). 

The newspaper reported, ‘According to inside sources, the pandemonium was sparked after the inmates were given sour porridge for breakfast instead of bread.

‘The inmates were expecting to have bread and tea as is usually the case on Saturdays but this did not happen.

‘When the sour porridge was served, the inmates rejected it and started protesting. The situation soon resembled a strike action as the inmates started singing and toyi-toying.

‘The officers stationed there tried to calm down the irate inmates but the situation got worse. Off-duty officers were called but they also failed to restore order amongst the rioting inmates.’

The newspaper said recruits training at HMCS Training College in Matsapha were ‘hastily organised’ and armed with batons and sent to Sidwashini.

Deputy Public Relations Officer at HMCS, Mandla Sibiya denied recruits were involved. He told the newspaper, ‘Nobody was assaulted at Sidwashini facility. If any inmate was assaulted, I would advise them to report to the human rights officers stationed there who will in turn take appropriate action.’

He said the bread shortage occurred because a bakery truck broke down.

Sidwashini was at the centre of controversy during 2017 after allegations surfaced that prison officers were supplying inmates with alcohol.

 

In February 2017, the Times Sunday newspaper in Swaziland reported shortages of food and toilet paper in jails throughout the kingdom. This was due to the government’s financial crisis, it said.

In May 2017, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) questioned the Swazi Government about prison conditions focusing on, ‘reports of inhumane prison conditions, including in terms of food shortages and inadequate sanitary conditions and medical care.’

In 2014 it was reported that more than 1,000 people were in jail in Swaziland because they were too poor to pay fines for offences such as traffic violations, theft by false pretences, malicious injury to property and fraud. 

The figures revealed that in Swaziland, where seven in ten people live in abject poverty with incomes less than US$2 per day, 1,053 of 3,615 inmates in Swazi jails were there because they did not have the money to pay a fine option. This was 29.1 percent of the entire prison population.

See also

PROBE INTO CORRUPTION AT SWAZI JAIL

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/probe-into-corruption-at-swazi-jail.html

 

PROBE INTO ‘INHUMANE’ JAIL CONDITIONS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/probe-into-inhumane-jail-conditions.html

PROBE INTO ‘INHUMANE’ JAIL CONDITIONS

A United Nations group is investigating prison conditions in Swaziland amid reports of inhumane conditions.

They include food shortages, inadequate sanitary conditions and medical care.

Swaziland ratified the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2004 and its initial report on progress was due by 2005, but 13 years later it has failed to report. After such a long delay, the Human Rights Committee (HRC) has scheduled a review of the kingdom in the absence of report. This review will take place in July 2017.

In a wide-ranging document the HRC poses a number of questions to the Swazi Government which was not elected by the people but hand-picked by King Mswati III who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The report says, ‘Please respond to reports of inhumane prison conditions, including in terms of food shortages and inadequate sanitary conditions and medical care.

‘Please also comment on the allegations that the president of the (outlawed) political party People’s United Democratic Movement of Swaziland, Mario Masuku, was denied access to adequate and independent medical care for complications relating to diabetes throughout the 14 months he spent in pretrial detention at Zakhele Remand centre and Matsapha Central Prison.’  

The HRC is also asking for detailed information about the number of existing prisons in the kingdom, prison capacity and the number of inmates and whether there are separate facilities for adults and children. It also asks what plans Swaziland has to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

In 2014 it was reported that more than 1,000 people were in jail in Swaziland because they were too poor to pay fines for offences such as traffic violations, theft by false pretences, malicious injury to property and fraud. 

The figures revealed that in Swaziland, where seven in ten people live in abject poverty with incomes less than US$2 per day, 1,053 of 3,615 inmates in Swazi jails were there because they did not have the money to pay a fine option. This was 29.1 percent of the entire prison population.

In February 2017, the Times Sunday newspaper in Swaziland reported shortages of food and toilet paper in jails throughout the kingdom. This was due to the government’s financial crisis, it said.

See also

PROBE INTO SWAZI CHILD EXPLOITATION

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/probe-into-swazi-child-exploitation.html

KINGDOM FACES LGBTI RIGHTS REVIEW

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2017/05/kingdom-faces-lgbti-rights-review.html

HUGE SWAZILAND STATE SECURITY

More than one in three of the government workforce in Swaziland is employed in the police or security services, figures recently released reveal.

King Mswati III, who rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF), holds the position of Minister of Defence, and is the Commander of the Royal Swaziland Police Service (RSPS) and His Majesty’s Correctional Service (HMCS). 

He presides over a civilian Principal Secretary of Defence and a Commanding General. 

In 2014, about 35 percent of the government workforce was assigned to security-related functions. 

The RSPS is responsible for maintaining internal security. The USDF is responsible for external security but also has domestic security responsibilities, including protecting members of the Royal Family. 

The HMCS is responsible for the protection, incarceration, and rehabilitation of convicted persons and keeping order within HMCS institutions. HMCS personnel, however, routinely work alongside police during protests and demonstrations.

This has been revealed in the United States Department of State report on human rights in Swaziland for the year 2014.

There are thought to be more than 35,000 people on the government payroll in Swaziland.

The report stated, ‘While the conduct of the RSPS, USDF, and HMCS was generally professional, members of all three forces were susceptible to political pressure and corruption. There were few prosecutions or disciplinary actions taken against security officers accused of abuses.’

Reviewing 2014, the report stated, ‘There were credible reports of use of excessive force by community police and security forces during the year. For example, on July 21, the Times of Swaziland reported that on July 13, three Malindza community police beat to death a mentally challenged man who had escaped from the National Psychiatric Center. The three were arrested, jailed, denied bail, and awaiting High Court trial at year’s end.

‘The Times of Swaziland of July 28 reported that during the first week of July correctional services officers from Big Bend correctional facility re-apprehended an escaped prisoner, beat him, and locked him overnight in a truck as punishment for escaping. The inmate died, reportedly due to lack of medical attention and exposure to the cold.’

The report also said the Swazi Government permitted very limited monitoring of prison conditions.

‘Independent monitoring groups found it difficult to access prison facilities during the year, and none issued public reports. The government routinely denied prison access to local human rights organizations, African Union Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Pansy Tlakula, and foreign diplomatic representatives.’

The report added, ‘Authorities generally did not allow journalists inside prisons. On April 12, the HMCS denied visitation rights to six journalists from different media houses seeking to visit incarcerated Nation magazine editor Bheki Makhubu and stated visitors must obtain permission from the commissioner of correctional services. Several international NGOs attempted to obtain permission without response from the commissioner.’

There were also arbitrary arrests in Swaziland.

The report stated, ‘Although the constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention, police arbitrarily arrested and detained numerous persons, primarily to prevent their participation in public protests. For example, on August 30, the Times of Swaziland newspaper reported police detained 25 residents of KaLuhleko for three days for their opposition to the authority of a certain chief. Residents, including persons over the age of 71, alleged police tied their hands and legs to benches and covered their heads for three days.’

The judiciary in the kingdom was not independent.

The report stated, ‘The constitution and law provide for an independent judiciary, but the King’s power to appoint the judiciary on recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission limits judicial independence.

‘The judiciary was generally impartial in nonpolitical criminal and civil cases not involving the Royal Family or government officials. In cases involving high-level government officials or Royal Family members, however, outcomes in favor of these individuals were predetermined. 

‘High Court judges who exercised a degree of independence were sidelined and blocked from ruling on political cases, including human rights cases.’

See also

TRIALS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED: AMNESTY

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/trials-politically-motivated-amnesty.html

 

SWAZI HUMAN RIGHTS WORSEN: AMNESTY

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2015/02/swazi-human-rights-worsen-amnesty.html

BAN ON JAIL VISITS AFTER TV PROBE

Prison visits to Maxwell Dlamini and Musa Ngubeni, two Swazi political prisoners, have been stopped after a South African television crew sneaked into jail and interviewed them.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) reports that yesterday (2 June 2011) was the last time the pair would be allowed visits. The previous night SABC3, a television station in South Africa, had broadcast a programme that included interviews with Dlamini and Ngubeni, who are on remand on explosives charges arising out of the protests held on 12 and 13 April.

SABC3 sneaked cameras into jail and interviewed them while a warden sat nearby unaware that anything was happening.

SSN reports the banning order was relayed to warders by the Head Warden at the Zakhele Remand Centre in Manzini. He told visitors that yesterday was the last day that they would be allowing visits for the two political prisoners.

SSN says the broadcast called Special Assignment, ‘went a long way towards exposing Lutfo Dlamini, the minister of foreign affairs, who had lied to the South African public by claiming that there were neither political prisoners in Swaziland nor political exiles living in other countries’.

See also

S AFRICA TV EXPOSES SWAZI PRISONS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/06/s-africa-tv-exposes-swazi-prisons.html