Swaziland Newsletter No. 820 – 29 March 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 820 – 29 March 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.

 

Senate president calls for GBV indaba

By Phephile Motau, eSwatini Observer, 27 March 2024

SOURCE 

Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini has called for an indaba on gender-based violence (GBV) and the escalating suicides.

The senate president asked the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini if he did not think an intense dialogue needed to be held in the country, starting from chiefdoms, saying in communities, wife-beaters are well known and people just take it as a normal thing.  He said the talks should happen in communities, churches and armed forces, since people from these sectors also perpetrate GBV. The senate president also raised her concern on the number of suicides, saying it was also now common for people to drink poisonous substances when they felt angry and also kill others.

“We need an indaba to talk about this as mental health has become a challenge,” she said. The senate president said a lot of attention had been given to empowering the girl child since they were left behind in many things.  She said the women ended up getting too empowered as they are even taught how to carry themselves when they get married. “What we do not hear is who talks to the people who marry us,” she said. The senate president said the result was that women became wiser and earned more than men. On the other hand, she said, men are not taught how to carry themselves and they ended up oppressing the women, until they hit them. She said the boy child had been left behind and boys were found on streets and beer halls. She said the country should focus on the family, as there was no liguma or lisango and people were easily influenced by what they saw on television.

Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini

Senator Lindiwe Ngwenya said GBV should be stopped in the country as not only were women victims, but men were also killed in murders orchestrated by women. He said men should not be ashamed to report if they suffer abuse. The PM said the issue of the girl child versus the boy child was extremely important and he was passionate about it. He said it was not enough for one sector to work on this issue, but every sector and every unit needed to rise against GBV. He made an example of his engagement with one of the UN agencies in 2003. The premier said he told the person in charge that they could be misleading the country by focusing on the girl child. 

The PM said there was an instance of boys who marked their belts on how many virgins they had had sex with.  “It was a trophy for them for sleeping with young girls, who had not yet experienced men. I said it does not matter how much you empower a girl, unless you work on the man, who is the perpetrator,” the premier said. He said government needs to stop chasing the symptoms and not getting to the root cause of problems.  “May I ask the whole nation and government not to wipe the water, but rush to close the tap which is the source,” he said. He said the matter of empowering the family was part of his passion. He related that on Sunday night, a man came to tell him about being abused by his wife for a long time.

“I said I was happy that he had the spirit of God because one of two things could have happened, he could have killed the wife or committed suicide. These issues are real and we should work on them,” the PM said.

 

Recently delivered drugs expired, alleged looting of millions intensify within Ministry of Health

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 23 March, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Part of the recently delivered drugs as announced by the Chairperson of the Cabinet Health Crisis Select Committee Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo long expired but Government is highly expected to pay millions to the supplier.

This disclosure comes amid intensifying corruption within the Ministry of Health, billions have been looted allegedly by SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff and other suppliers through the manipulation of the procurement processes and bribing of senior Government officials.

A questionnaire was sent to Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo,however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

The investigation unit of this Swaziland News, through sources, managed to ‘tour’ the Central Medical Stores this week and took pictures of the recently delivered drugs, a large percentage was discovered to have expired.

Responding to this Swaziland News earlier, Mayibongwe Masangwane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) confirmed that, public hospitals were still facing shortage of drugs.

The latest investigation by this publication at the Central Medical Stores (CMS) was conducted amid reports suggesting that, Government failed to purchase contraceptives.

“You will recall that, Government recently announced that medication is now available but, I can assure you that there are no contraceptives”, said the Secretary General of the Nurses Union.

Kareem Ashraff told this publication that, he will speak after the court cases.

On another note, a report by Funduzi Forensic Services concluded that, over R1.1billion was paid to companies linked to SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff and other suppliers.

 

China slams eSwatini PM for visiting Taiwan

By Wang Qingyun, China Daily, 23 March 2024

SOURCE 

China slammed Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini’s visit to the Taiwan region, urging the African country to “mend its ways as soon as possible”.

Dlamini reportedly arrived in Taiwan on Monday [18 March 2024]. He met with the region’s outgoing head Tsai Ing-wen, among other people, visited companies and attended an event pitching for investment in his country.

Voicing firm opposition to the visit, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday it is a serious violation of the one-China principle and China’s sovereignty.

Lin also told a regular news conference that Eswatini, as well as its people have “hardly benefited” from its “diplomatic ties” with the Taiwan region over the past 56 years.

“The Taiwan authorities squander the taxpayers’ money to support some bigwigs in Eswatini to maintain the so-called diplomatic ties,” he said. “This kind of relationship is of no value to people in both Taiwan and Eswatini.”

Eswatini is one of the only 12 countries in the world that have maintained “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan.

The latest country to sever ties with Taiwan is Nauru, which announced it would cut “diplomatic relations” with the region following the latter’s elections held in January.

After the elections, more than 180 countries and organizations reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle.

These facts show that one China is where global opinion trends, Lin said, adding that Eswatini’s “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan is against the trend, and will not last.

The spokesman called on “certain persons in power in Eswatini” to see squarely the prevailing consensus, and stop “being self-deceptive”.

Also, the people in Eswatini will see clearly the truth about “Taiwan independence”, and recognize the perils of Taiwan’s “dollar diplomacy”, Lin added.

See also

eSwatini PM’s Taiwan visit a grave provocation to one-China principle and China's sovereignty: Chinese FM

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309350.shtml

 

eSwatini wants enough water, food, power by 2030

By Nokuzola Thwala, eSwatini Observer, 23 March 2024

SOURCE 

Eswatini aims to have adequate water, food and energy for all people by the year 2030, which is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Director of Water Affairs Makhosini Khoza, who is also Global Water Organisation Director said SDGs encouraged all countries to provide at least all basic needs for its people.

In a two-day consultation workshop held at Sibanesami Hotel, Khoza said there were three water concepts that Eswatini needed to adopt which included water adaptation and purification, disaster readiness and food security for all.

The workshop was a collaboration between Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the ministry of tourism and environmental affairs. The theme was ‘Strengthening the national designated authority’s institution and technical capacity to mobilise gender responsive climate finance for Eswatini’.

He said the aim was to develop three water concept notes to access climate finance and address the impact of climate change on water resources and management.

He said in November, they narrowed down three concept notes which they were now developing to ensure funding from the climate fund.

Khoza added that one concept note that they were developing further for fund mobilisation was the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) one, which touched on ensuring that WASH initiatives existed in the country.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22223

 

State Intelligence fails to prove Nosisi Construction was paid millions by Chinese Government to fund political unrest, court orders Nedbank to unfreeze bank accounts

By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 24 March, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The eSwatini Government propaganda suggesting that, the Chinese Government deposited millions into the bank account of Nosisi Construction backfired in court after the Intelligence Unit failed to prove the allegations.

This comes amid the Government and Taiwan continued propaganda to accuse China of plotting and funding a political unrest to influence regime-change in eSwatini.

The Directors of Nosisi Investments recently told this Swaziland News that, they received part of the R10million fencing loans on behalf of their clients being Tindvuna TeTiNkhundla, the loans were approved by Government through the Treasury Department.

But the State Intelligence Unit, without conducting an investigation, rushed to obtain a court order alleging that the monies came from China to fund a political unrest.

Nosisi Directors subsequently filed court papers proving that, the money was paid by Government, it could not be ascertained how the State Intelligence concluded that the monies were from China without a proper investigation.

On Wednesday, the court reversed a previous interim order freezing Nosisi bank accounts.

“The interim court order that was issued by this Honorable Court on the 11th March 2024 restraining the 1st and 2nd Applicant from transacting in Nedbank account number 11990147541 is hereby discharged. That Nedbank Eswatini Limited (the second Applicant) is ordered and directed to unfreeze the bank accounts of the Applicants forthwith”, reads the court order in part.

 

Wildlife conservation, traditional medicine collide in eSwatini

By Nokukhanya Musi, Voice of America, 21 March 2024

SOURCE 

MANZINI: Traditional medicine, or “muti,” is an important part of Eswatini's culture. However, an increasing demand for muti has placed some of the southern African kingdom’s animal species at risk of extinction. That’s something conservationists and molecular biologists want to change.

Molecular biologist Zamekile Bhembe, who works for the USAID-funded EWild Laboratory at the University of Eswatini, is fighting poachers and trying to get them convicted for their crimes.

She said poaching for traditional medicinal purposes is a leading cause of biodiversity decline, and she wants stronger regulations to protect wildlife.

“Every time you see biodiversity declines, there will be some sort of poaching involved,” she said. “As a country, we cannot deny that we are using these resources as our traditional medicine. It’s just that we need a way of regulating.”

For generations, the people of Eswatini have held traditional beliefs and values close to their hearts. This is reflected in the fact that more than 80% of the population still consults traditional healers, or “witchdoctors,” for advice and healing.

These healers use a wide range of plant and animal species to create traditional medicine, drawing on knowledge passed down through generations. However, excessive hunting has endangered the local populations of pangolins, crocodiles, vultures and owls, leading to calls for more sustainable practices.

Makhanya Makhanya, president of the Witchdoctors Association, is a widely renowned traditional healing practitioner in his own right. He said the role of traditional healers needs to be protected.

Such healers, he said, have served Eswatini for generations, providing healing and support to those in need. But he said current laws do not reflect the reality of their work. He wants to see regulations that recognize the traditional healers’ role in society and allow them to continue their work.

Patrick Maduna, a South African citizen, said he travels from neighboring South Africa to Eswatini to seek traditional medicinal solutions. His preference for traditional healing shows the complex relationship between modern and traditional medicine in Eswatini.

“I came all the way from South Africa to Swaziland for traditional attention,” he said. “I have been using the same traditional doctor since 2006, I have been coming to the same place. For me to come and get traditional attention, for me, it’s like therapy. I have never, ever gone to the hospital.”

Maduna said if there were laws in Eswatini to limit the poaching of animals for traditional medicine, he believes the so-called witchdoctors would comply with the rules.

 

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REED DANCE – DARK SIDE OF CULTURE

Tens of thousands of maidens this week left the annual Reed Dance to return to their hungry villages, following what the Swazi media have been calling the biggest cultural event in Africa.

But as the dust settles on the traditional event at which ‘maidens’ dance half naked before King Mswati III, news has been emerging in the Times of Swaziland about another, darker, side of Swaziland culture at the Reed Dance.

This is the culture of violence and the abuse of authority. The Times reported on Wednesday (5 September 2007) that the traditional authorities who were given the responsibility of supervising the ‘maidens’ systematically detained and whipped young men who were caught at night trying to get close to the young women.

In a report starkly headlined, ‘27 men whipped at Reed Dance’, the Times reports that the men were caught, whipped, and temporarily detained after invading the camp where the maidens were staying.

The whipping was not an isolated incident and the Times reports that some men were whipped on Saturday and others on Sunday. So we must assume that the detention and whipping of unwelcome visitors was an agreed method of discipline among those tasked with supervising the maidens.

The Times report quotes Muzi Dlamini, one of the men responsible for supervising the maidens, saying that the men were taken to a small tent. ‘They were beaten with sjamboks and sticks. We were disciplining them and I must say they deserved such a punishment.’

He spoke about two separate occasions when men were detained and beaten. ‘After we had detained these boys, there were no more visits from strangers. Indeed it worked for us,’ he said.

The Times gives an objective, if one-sided, report of the incidents. As is typical of just about all reports in the Swazi media, information is gathered from only one source, in this case Muzi Dlamini, the man who carried out the whipping.

Although we should be grateful for the Times for reporting this matter, the newspaper misses an important point in the story: that the authorities had taken it upon themselves to give out punishment to the men. In traditional custom in Swaziland, the punishers may have been entitled to act in the way that they did, but in Swazi law they were not. There is at the very least a case here for Dlamini and the others who helped him to face prosecution for assault.

Not only did the Times miss the wider context of the story, it failed to connect it to another story of violence at the Reed Dance it has been running for two days this week. On Tuesday (4 September 2007), the Times reported that one of the senor overseers of the maidens, Ntfonjeni Dlamini, assaulted a group of maidens with a stick. He hurt two of them so badly, the Times reports, that they had to go to Lobamba Clinic, where one of them was treated for injuries to her right leg and bruises all over her body. The other was reported to have bruises all over her body and was bleeding on her back.

Four other ‘maidens’ were also thrashed, but were not as badly injured. Confusingly, the Times referred to the maidens as ‘girls’ but never gave their ages. In Swazi traditional culture all women are considered to be children with no legal status and subject to discipline by their men folk (usually meaning their fathers or husbands).

This time the Times published quotes from more than one source. The injured ‘girls’ have their say and the Times also interviews the man in overall charge of the maidens and Ntfonjeni Dlamini himself. Dlamini said he did not know that any maidens were injured.

The Times followed up the story the following day (Wednesday 5 September 2007) reporting that the two women had reported Ntfonjeni Dlamini to the police. The Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse also commented about the wrongfulness of beating children.

But the Times couldn’t wait for the police investigation to conclude, it has already convicted Ntfonjeni Dlamini.

In an editorial comment, the Times says, ‘Ntfonjeni Dlamini … seems to believe he holds the right to beat up anybody’s child for no apparent reason.’ It called on ‘traditional authorities’ to take strong action against the blemishing of the Reed Dance, which it describes as a ‘colourful event’ and an opportunity for Swaziland to make a bit of money from tourists.

As well as the two stories already mentioned the Times also gave an account of eight stabbings in isolated incidents at the Reed Dance. The newspaper reported that those stabbed were involved in brawls over ‘girls’. (Wednesday 5 September 2007)

We should welcome the Times reporting, even if it hasn’t done a particularly good job of the matter. The only other daily newspaper in Swaziland, the Swazi Observer, failed to report any of the ‘downside’ to the Reed Dance. This is to be expected from the most traditional of newspapers in Swaziland and one run by a company that is effectively owned by the Swazi Royal Family.

But news editors at the Times should stand back a little and take a look at the bigger picture. It reported the various disturbances at the Reed Dance as if they were isolated incidents, when they were in fact connected.

There are two themes that emerge from these stories that deserve further consideration from the Swazi media.

The first is the role of those in ‘traditional’ authority and the way they are allowed to ignore the law. The Times in its editorial comment cast doubt on whether anything would be done about Ntfonjeni Dlamini and we might assume this is because in Swaziland the ruling elite relies on the upholding of Swazi traditions for their power. A legal system that places a person’s human rights at its centre would not tolerate ‘Swazi custom’ for one moment.

The second is the general attitude of Swazi society to its women. Many see the annual Reed Dance as an event that cements Swazi culture, but others with a more modern outlook, believe it to be outdated and some say the Reed Dance, is old fashioned and makes a mockery of women, as it has become little more than a showcase for the king to choose a new bride.

Some more investigation on these themes by the Swazi media would be most welcome.