Swaziland teenage pregnancies, gender violence high during coronavirus lockdown

Teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence in Swaziland (eSwatini) have risen during the present coronavirus lockdown, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku reported.

He said out of 400 schools surveyed, 261 teenagers were found to be pregnant.  Of these 44 were in primary school and 217 in secondary and high school. Many schools have been closed as part of a national patrial lockdown to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

He said this at the Council of Swaziland Churches annual general meeting in Manzini.

He also said that during lockdown there had been an increase in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual violence cases reported. He said the reports were made at a time when his office had started a campaign to end unintended pregnancies. 

He said children, women, men and persons with disability were abused in different forms. He called this a violation of human rights.

He called on churches to use the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act (SODV) to help combat this ‘scourge’.

In October 2020, Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini blamed the use of alcohol for some of the violence. He spoke following reports of women and children who had been murdered mostly by their lovers. This included a mother and her four-year-old son who were allegedly stabbed and had their throats slit open by a man believed to be her boyfriend.

In September 2020 a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report stated the coronavirus pandemic had led to an increase in sexual and gender-based violence against children. According to official Swazi police figures, during the period of lockdown between 27 March and 19 April, 299 sexual and gender-based violence cases were reported of which 53 were rape and 213 domestic violence cases. The age group 12 to 17 years had been more vulnerable to sexual violence. In April alone, 30 out of 47 reported rape cases were from this group.

 

See also

Swaziland sees increase in sexual violence against children as schools closed by coronavirus https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/09/swaziland-sees-increase-in-sexual.html

Doubts over survey result that suggests attitudes on wife-beating improving in Swaziland https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/doubts-over-survey-result-that-suggests.html

Customary law lets husbands rape wives

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/08/custom-law-lets-husbands-rape-wives.html

Swaziland soccer squad expelled from international tournament for cheating

A Swaziland (eSwatini) soccer squad has been expelled from an international tournament for cheating.

The Under-17s were thrown out of the COSAFA [Council of Southern Africa Football Associations] tournament in Port Elizabeth, South Africa for including at least one overaged player. It was one of four nations expelled for the same reason. Players were exposed after a sophisticated medical test was undertaken.

Harries Bulunga, Minister of Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs, in a statement said, ‘The Ministry takes this moment to apologise to all Emaswati [people of Swaziland] for the huge embarrassment that this matter has brought to the country.’

Bulunga said the Swazi Government ‘strongly condemns any form of cheating’ in sport and added the eSwatini Football Association intended to appeal the decision. ‘The Ministry will swiftly ensure that, if the guilty verdict is upheld, those responsible are brought to book as per existing sporting policies.’

If the expulsion is confirmed Swaziland will miss the next two Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations, and by consequence the next FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

 

See also

Public sector corruption in Swaziland getting worse, Transparency International report suggests

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/01/public-sector-corruption-in-swaziland.html

 

New drive against corruption in Swaziland leaves out King Mswati, the biggest drain on the public purse

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/11/new-drive-against-corruption-in.html

Swaziland ends coronavirus national emergency but restrictions stay in place

The national emergency introduced in Swaziland (eSwatini) in response to the coronavirus pandemic has been ended but restrictions remain in place.

Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini made the announcement on Saturday (21 November 20220) in a statement. The emergency had been declared by Swazi absolute monarch King Mswati III in March.

The change will not be much more than a technicality for most people because a raft of regulations remain in place under the Disaster Management Act. Dlamini said people were expected to fully abide by the regulations which included wearing a facemask in public; restrictions on the sale of alcohol; a ban on all night gatherings, including parties and vigils; a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people in an open space and all types of meeting should not last more than two hours thirty minutes.

The national emergency had been extended in June and September.

Separately, Lizzie Nkosi, Minister of Health, reported, ‘The COVID-19 epidemic curve [in Swaziland] has peaked and shows signs of being on the decline. However, the coronavirus is still circulating in the country. Until a definitive treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 is found, another exponential increase in number of cases is still possible if preventative measures are abandoned by the nation.’

She reported there had been a total 6,205 positive cases of coronavirus reported by the Ministry of Health since the crisis began; of these 5,850 people had recovered. There had been a total of 119 reported deaths.

 

See also

Swaziland PM tests positive for coronavirus

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-tests-positive-for.html

 

Swaziland PM warns of tough surveillance measures as people break coronavirus lockdown rules https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-warns-of-tough.html

 

Seven in ten Swaziland businesses defy govt. rules to help stop coronavirus spread https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/10/seven-in-ten-swaziland-businesses-defy.html

Swaziland Govt. wants law to make it illegal to send social media posts that cause ‘emotional distress’

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government wants to introduce a law making it illegal to post material online that would deliberately cause a victim serious emotional distress.

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill intends to deter, prevent and mitigate harm caused to individuals by harmful digital communications and provide victims of harmful digital communications with a quick and efficient means of redress.

On conviction, offenders face a minimum fine of E500,000 (US$27,000) and a maximum fine of E5 million or a jail sentence of up to seven years. 

A ‘victim’ is the person who is the target of a posted digital communication.

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill, 2020 has been prepared by the Swazi  Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology. This is the same ministry that last week withdrew the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, 2020 that could have sent people who published ‘fake news’ to jail for 10 years. It is expected it will be re-presented after consultations have been completed.

The proposed law would impact on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Human Rights Commissioner Sabelo Masuku told the Times Sunday newspaper (15 November 2020) in Swaziland the new Bill was no different from the withdrawn Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill.

 

See also

Swaziland Govt. withdraws controversial Computer Crime Bill, seeks more discussion

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-govt-withdraws-controversial.html

Swaziland PM tests positive for coronavirus

Ambrose Dlamini the prime Mister of Swaziland (eSwatini) has tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement issued on Sunday (15 November 2020) he said, ‘I am asymptomatic and feeling well but in isolation, in line with health protocols, and being supported by the Ministry of Health medical personnel at home. I will continue working from home until I am cleared of the virus. All my close contacts for the past week are being tested and are expected to self-isolate and follow the necessary health guidelines.’

In July the entire Swazi cabinet of ministers went into isolation after Public Works and Transport Minister Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The number of new cases of coronavirus in Swaziland is holding steady. According to official Ministry of Health figures there were 178 new cases in the first 15 days of November. The total number of cases reported in Swaziland since the pandemic started stands at 6,095. There have been 119 deaths.

 

See also

Swaziland PM warns of tough surveillance measures as people break coronavirus lockdown rules

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-pm-warns-of-tough.html

Entire Swaziland Cabinet in isolation after minister tests positive for coronavirus https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/07/entire-swaziland-cabinet-in-isolation.html

Swaziland’s largest university closed as students protest over unpaid scholarships

The largest university in Swaziland (eSwatini) has stopped in-class teaching and sent students home until further notice after protests against the non-payment of scholarships.

The move was confirmed on state radio by University of eSwatini (formerly UNISWA) Registrar Dr Salebona Simelane. He said classes would continue for students studying online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The closure which has become a regular event in recent years came as students called for a 60 percent increase in the level of scholarships. They also want all students who are qualified and want them to be given government scholarships. One immediate concern is that 1,500 first-year students who recently started courses have not been awarded scholarships.

They marched on parliament last week to deliver a petition. Students from the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology are also protesting.

Separately, Thulani Mkhaliphi, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, criticised the students on state radio. He reportedly said, ‘When we award scholarships, we analyse even the conduct of that child, respect is part of those qualities, we cannot award government scholarship to Emahlongandlebe (disrespecting individuals). They want a government scholarship but now they are protesting, we will monitor them very closely.’

The Swaziland News, an online newspaper, reported Mlamuli Gumedze, President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS), said students decided to protest because Mkhaliphi would not engage with them to explain why they were denied scholarships.

Mbongwa Dlamini, President for the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), said his union supported the students. Wander Mkhonza, Secretary General of the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA) also added support.

The Swazi Government regularly pays student scholarships late and only after students engage in protest action. In August 2019 student leaders said police detained and tortured seven students after a protest march in the capital, Mbabane. They had marched to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to deliver a petition regarding the payment of allowances, scholarships for all admitted first year students and involvement of students in decision-making.

In November 2019 police fired live ammunition and shot a university student with a rubber bullet at the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) in Manzini during class boycotts. Students across the kingdom were angry that the government failed to keep its promise to pay them their allowances for books, accommodation and other equipment.

There is an ongoing dispute between students and the government over the payment of scholarships and allowances that cover fees, living expenses and items such as books. In May 2017, SNUS launched a campaign for scholarships for all. Students want all students admitted to higher learning institutions to have scholarships, regardless of the programme they are doing or the institution they are in.

 

See also

Swaziland Government breaks promise to pay overdue student allowances https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/01/swaziland-government-breaks-promise-to.html

Swaziland police hold and ‘torture’ students after protest march on Govt ministry

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/08/swaziland-police-hold-and-torture.html

Swaziland police fire gunshots and shoot student with rubber bullet as campus protests continue https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-police-fire-gunshots-and.html

Swaziland students boycott classes as Govt. breaks promise to pay allowances https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-students-boycott-classes-as.html 

Swaziland Govt. withdraws controversial Computer Crime Bill, seeks more discussion

A Bill that set out to impose 10 years’ jail time on people publishing ‘fake news’ has been withdrawn by the Swaziland (eSwatini) Government after protests in the House of Assembly.

The Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, 2020 introduced a wide range of offences including spamming and cyberstalking. Cyberstalking included making false accusations, defamation and identity theft.

The most controversial section of the Bill set out to make it unlawful for any person to publish any statement or fake news through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive any other person or group of persons. On conviction a person would be liable to a fine not exceeding E10 million (US$600,000) or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.

The House of Assembly Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology Portfolio Committee rejected the section on ‘fake news’ at a meeting last week and days later committee chair Macford Sibandze told the House the Bill would be taken back for further consultations.

Among criticisms made were the large fines and lengthy prison sentences that would be imposed.

King Mswati who rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch has been widely criticised by human rights groups. He controls much of the mainstream media in Swaziland. Nearly all broadcasting is state-controlled and one of the only two daily newspapers in the kingdom is in effect owned by the King. Formal censorship and self-censorship by journalists when reporting matters about the King is almost total.

In recent years news websites that call for human rights reforms in Swaziland have been launched. The editors of two of them are in exile in neighbouring South Africa after publishing articles deemed critical of the King. They face sedition charges if they return to Swaziland. There are also a number of Facebook sites and other social media platforms that carry material critical of the King.

See also

Swaziland rethinks law on ‘fake news’ that could lead to 10 years’ jail time

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swaziland-rethinks-law-on-fake-news.html

 

Swaziland proposes law with 10 year jail term for publishing ‘fake news’ https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/08/swaziland-introduces-law-with-10-year.html

Swaziland PM warns of tough surveillance measures as people break coronavirus lockdown rules

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government is to step up its surveillance in the kingdom to try to catch people who are breaking coronavirus lockdown regulations.

Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini said, ‘We will not hesitate to ban and bring to the law any individual or entity that fails to follow the laid down regulations thus putting the entire country at risk.

‘Working together with law enforcement agencies, we will upscale surveillance across the country to ensure that COVID-19 [coronavirus] regulations are adhered to and that those who breach them are brought to book. We will continue to monitor many other public establishments to ensure compliance.’

The statement on Tuesday (11 November 2020) came after some restrictions had been eased in October around sport, entertainments and travel.

He said there were now only 159 active cases of COVID-19 in the kingdom. ‘However, while the statistics are promising, the very unpredictable nature of this virus means we cannot for one moment rest on our successes.’

He added, ‘Unfortunately, Government has noted with serious concern of the behaviour of a few individuals across multiple sectors who, over the past weeks, have continued to show complete disregard of COVID-19 regulations.’

He said, ‘Some citizens still refuse to wear face masks when in public or using public transport; others still continue to engage in banned sporting activity including informal football, while others do not adhere to the laid down protocols governing the hosting of gatherings, particularly entertainment activities.’

He added, ‘Government takes this moment to remind all citizens, business owners, public transport operators, religious establishments, leisure sites, arts stakeholders and sporting associations that we are still within this COVID-19 battle and such deliberate disregard of the laid down protocols puts the entire country at risk of instigating a spike in infections. It is for this reason that Government is taking a stern disciplinary action against certain establishments for non-compliance to the COVID-19 regulations.’

He said since the ban on alcohol sales had been lifted some people had been drinking recklessly. Regulations prohibit consumption of alcohol in crowded areas, bars or any gathering and only allows home consumption or in hotels when food is served.

As of 11 November 2020 the Swazi Ministry of Health had reported a total of 6,044 positive cases of coronavirus. There had been 116 deaths.

A survey in October 2020 suggested more than seven in ten businesses in Swaziland had defied government regulations to combat the spread of coronavirus.

See also

Seven in ten Swaziland businesses defy govt. rules to help stop coronavirus spread

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/10/seven-in-ten-swaziland-businesses-defy.html

Swaziland lifts ban on alcohol sales but PM warns against drinking with fear of coronavirus surge https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/10/swaziland-lifts-ban-on-alcohol-sales.html

Some Swaziland schools to remain shut amid fear of coronavirus surge https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/10/some-swaziland-schools-to-remain-shut.html

Swaziland journalists to be fined by own newspaper if their reports lead to defamation damages

Journalists at the newspaper in Swaziland (eSwatini) in effect owned by the kingdom’s absolute monarch King Mwsati III are to be fined by the company if reports they write result in awards for defamation damages in the law courts.

A policy has been drawn up at the eSwatini Observer, one of only two daily newspapers in Swaziland.

Revealing the policy, the Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism reported a draft of the policy states that journalists will be charged ‘50 percent of the insurance excess for stories that lead to libel claims being brought up against the company’ to recover lost revenue. 

An earlier copy of the policy had 1 July 2020 as the start date but this was removed from the latest version pending a meeting between management and the media workers’ trade union.

Inhlase reported, ‘The policy says the aim is to implement discipline fairly and consistently throughout the company with regard to lost revenue due to employee negligence, defined as damage to company property, costing revenue by repeating or publishing advertisements incorrectly, and defamation claims.’

Newspapers in Swaziland have been under attack in the libel courts for some years. Inhlase listed a number of cases including one in 2014 when the Swazi supreme court ordered the Times of Swaziland (now the Times of Eswatini) to pay E550,000 (US$35,000) to former senate president Gelane Simelane-Zwane, who had sued the newspaper for questioning her paternity and claim to the chieftaincy of the ko-Ntshingila area.

South African-based gospel artist Sipho Makhabane sued the Observer after it published an opinion piece questioning his Christian values. In January 2017 the supreme court awarded him E300,000. 

The Observer was successfully sued by medical doctor-cum-businessman Futhi Dlamini over a story about a dispute relating to his father’s estate. Dlamini won damages of E200,000 when the supreme court dismissed the newspaper’s appeal in 2018.

The Observer’s former managing director, Rev Alpheous Nxumalo, sued the paper over a report relating to his HIV status and won E250,000 in the supreme court in June.

In September 2020, the high court ordered the Times to pay E350,000 to the deputy speaker of parliament, Phila Buthelezi, and E175 000 to assistant master of the court Ceb’sile Ngwenya for defaming them by intruding on their privacy. 

The Observer on Saturday is currently in court defending a E500,000 defamation suit brought by lawyer Simanga Mamba, the chair of the Teaching Service Commission, over an article about his billing of clients.

 

See also

Paper must pay record libel damages

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2014/12/paper-must-pay-record-libel-damages.html

Swaziland students march on government as new protest over scholarships takes off

Students in Swaziland (eSwatini) marched to petition government after more than 1,500 of them were refused scholarships.

The students were from the University of eSwatini (formerly University of Swaziland, UNISWA). Only about 1,000 students in this year’s new intake have been awarded the scholarships which cover tuition, books and living expenses.

This is not the first time students have been in dispute with the Swazi Government over funding. In May 2017 the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) launched a campaign for scholarships for all. Students want all those admitted to higher learning institutions to have scholarships, regardless of the programme they are doing or the institution they are in.

The protest was organised at short notice but about 150 students delivered a petition at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security office in Mbabane on Tuesday (10 November 2020).

 

See also

Swaziland’s absolute monarch grants scholarship to student who begged him on hands and knees

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/01/swazilands-absolute-monarch-grants.html

 

Swaziland students sell themselves for sex because scholarships have not been paid https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/11/swaziland-students-sell-themselves-for.html

 

Swaziland police hold and ‘torture’ students after protest march on Govt ministry https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/08/swaziland-police-hold-and-torture.html

Swaziland rethinks law on ‘fake news’ that could lead to 10 years’ jail time

A committee of members of the Swaziland (eSwatini) parliament have voted to amend a Bill that could impose a E10 million fine or 10 years’ jail time on people publishing ‘fake news’.

The section of the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, 2020 on ‘fake news’ was removed by the Ministry of Information and Technology Portfolio Committee, its chair Macford Sibandze told the news website Swati Newsweek.

The Bill set out to make it unlawful for any person to publish any statement or fake news through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive any other person or group of persons. On conviction a person would be liable to a fine not exceeding E10 million (US$600,000) or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.

The new law would allow the courts to prosecute in some circumstances Swazi nationals who live outside of Swaziland. It also covers a wide range of offences including spamming and cyberstalking. Cyberstalking includes making false accusations, defamation and identity theft.

Sibandze told Swati Newsweek, ‘A section on fake news was completely removed. Fines were cut by 50 to 75 percent, whilst others up to 90 percent.’

Swaziland has a poor human rights record and media are severely restricted by more than 30 laws. The Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill which was announced in August 2020 was widely criticised by human rights campaigners.

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) in a 14-page response to the new Bill said the definition of ‘fake news’ and the offence itself was not included in a Southern African Development Community (SADC) model law that covered these areas.

It added, ‘The offence of fake news is highly subjective and overly broad and ought to be qualified further or repealed altogether. Intentionally deceiving only one person ought never to be an offence under this section, and if the deceit was for a purpose of fraud, for example, that would be the appropriate offence to charge a person with.’

It said, ‘The offences of cybersex or sexual grooming with a child, cyberbullying, cyber stalking, harassment, and trafficking in humans, all attach a penalty of up to E10m fine or 10 years’ imprisonment or both. Fake news and violation of intellectual property rights, which do less harm to the individual attach the same penalties of E10m or 10 years’ imprisonment,’ it added.

 

See also

Swaziland proposes law with 10 year jail term for publishing ‘fake news’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/08/swaziland-introduces-law-with-10-year.html

 

Swaziland journalist critical of King flees, hides in forest five days https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-journalist-critical-of-king.html

 

‘No media freedom’ in Swaziland, Reporters Without Borders annual report states https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/no-media-freedom-in-swaziland-reporters.html

 

Swaziland journalist ‘tortured by police after criticising absolute monarch in newspaper articles’ https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/03/swaziland-journalist-tortured-by-police.html

Swaziland riot police fire teargas, rubber bullets to break up peaceful ‘clean-up’ event

Armed riot police in Swaziland (eSwatini) used teargas and rubber bullets to break up a peaceful gathering called to ‘clean-up’ a township and arrest its leaders.

It happened at KaKhoza in Manzini on Saturday (31 October 2020).

Swati Newsweek, an online newspaper, reported an event organised by the Swaziland People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) was broken up by a battalion of heavily armed officers from the riot police known as the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU).

Vusi Shongwe, SPLM President confirmed the incident. A number of SPLM members were arrested.

Newsweek reported police had earlier told the SPLM not to go ahead with the event. The campaign had been widely publicised online.

Shongwe told Newsweek, ‘Rubber bullets, teargas, batons were used on the KaKhoza residents and SPLM cadres while conducting the clean-up campaign.’

Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarchy. Political parties are prohibited from taking part in elections and groups advocating for change are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

The SPLM describes itself as movement campaigning for ‘a constitutional multi party democratic Swaziland in our life time’. The SPLM is one of six political groups in Swaziland that last year formed the Political Parties Assembly (PPA) to advocate for change.

There are restrictions on freedom of association and assembly in Swaziland. In a review of 2019, Human Rights Watch reported police continued to restrict gatherings even though the Police Service Act of 2018 limited their powers to prevent gatherings as it required only a ‘notice of gathering’ to be submitted to the relevant local authority, unlike the previous 1963 law that needed the police to issue a license to permit public gatherings. The Public Order Act of 2017, which imposes restrictions on the government’s power to limit freedoms of assembly and association, was also ignored.

Freedom House scored Swaziland 16 out of a possible 100 points in its Freedom in the World 2019 report. It concluded that Swaziland was ‘not free’.

See also

Swaziland democracy leaders call on absolute monarch to arrange talks for political change

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/swaziland-democracy-leaders-call-on.html

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

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

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