Swaziland woman faces 30 years in jail for selling ‘abortion pills’

A woman in Swaziland (eSwatini) has been sentenced to 30 years jail with the option of a E45,000 fine for selling pills that induced abortion.

Celucolo Gaolaolwe, aged 41, herself a mother of five children, had been selling Cytotec pills for about 10 years, the eSwatini Observer reported.

Under the Swazi Constitution abortion is illegal in Swaziland except under strict circumstances, including where a mother’s life is in danger.

Gaolaolwe was sentenced at the Municipal Council of Mbabane offices by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi. Gaolaolwe was also convicted of forging prescriptions to get the pills.

Gaolaolwe admitted that she sold each tablet for E150 and made more than E31,000 from her trade.

Because abortions are illegal in Swaziland it is difficult to say accurately how many are performed in the kingdom. However, in August 2018 the Times of Swaziland reported that every month, nurses at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini attended more than 100 cases of young women who had committed illegal abortions.

The IRIN news agency, quoting the Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS), a family planning organization, reported that in October 2012 more than 1,000 women were treated for abortion-related complications at a single clinic in Swaziland. Many of the deaths were the result of haemorrhaging, while others resulted from the patient’s delay in seeking medical treatment for other complications stemming from illegal terminations.

In November 2012 the IRIN news agency reported that 16 percent of all women deaths in the government hospital in Mbabane that year were the result of botched abortions. It said that this figure was only those cases that were reported, there were certainly other deaths unreported.

In December 2018 the Swazi Observer reported the number of illegal ‘backstreet’ abortions taking place in Swaziland was ‘escalating’ because social media had made it easier to obtain abortion pills.

See also

Death of Swaziland schoolgirl after illegal abortion highlights suffering of women in kingdom

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/04/death-of-swaziland-schoolgirl-after.html

U.S. halts funding to Swaziland NGO as anti-abortion policy bites

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/08/us-halts-funding-to-swaziland-ngo-as.html

Swaziland’s King Mswati under pressure from China to end support for Taiwan

By Peter Kenworthy

 

Western countries have not exerted much pressure on Swaziland’s absolute monarchy to rectify its lack of democracy and human rights. Neither has another democracy, the People’s Republic of China, more commonly known as Taiwan. A country with whom Swaziland (renamed Eswatini by King Mswati III in 2018) – as the only country In Africa – has diplomatic ties with, writes Peter Kenworthy for Afrika Kontakt.

The UN has not recognized Taiwan since it switched its diplomatic recognition to China in 1971. 

In a statement on Swaziland-Taiwan relations from July 2019, government spokesperson Percy Simelane spoke of the “unbroken diplomatic relations” between the two countries, since Swaziland’s independence in 1968.

- This relationship is based on mutual respect, friendship and loyalty … Our commitment to strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan remains unshaken and enduring, he added.

Swaziland has thus far decided to stay loyal to its relationship with Taiwan, says Swazi political activist and former president of the Swaziland Youth Congress, Bheki Dlamini.

Dlamini, who has a degree in public administration from the University of Bergen, adds that China has been turning a blind eye to Swaziland’s support of Taiwan, and Taiwan’s aid and donations to Swaziland. But that the few other states that had diplomatic relations with Taiwan – such as Burkina Faso and the Gambia – have severed their ties with the island state.

- Swaziland has not been persuaded otherwise, but remains committed to Taiwan. Until recently, China has not publicly denounced the Taiwan-Swaziland relationship. In a turn of events China is now denying visas to people from Swaziland, he says.

Win-win or Catch 22?

In a statement, the Chinese ambassador to South Africa says:

 - Since 10 January, some Eswatini people realized that all the Embassies and Consulate-Generals of the people’s Republic of China (PRC), except the Embassy of China to Pretoria, have been closed for Eswatini citizens to apply for visas to mainland China, which will cripple their business and the country’s economy development.

- Such an embarrassing situation is the result of Eswatini defying the One-China Principle and maintaining so-called “diplomatic ties” with the Taiwan authorities … It is the right time for the Eswatini government and people to make a right choice for win-win cooperation, the letter adds. 

Bheki Dlamini believes that Swaziland is thus in something of a Catch 22-situation, regarding Chinese pressure.

- The free lunch from Taiwan is good for the royal family, which has the luxury of behaving like Taiwan’s spoilt child. But Taiwan needs Swaziland more than China needs Swaziland. If Swaziland dumps Taiwan for China, the monarchy will lose the financial and political benefits it reaps from Taiwan. However, going with China might be no guarantee that China will supersede Taiwan in development aid and donation to Swaziland, Dlamini says.

- But this will certainly benefit ordinary Swazis who want to explore business, educational and other opportunities offered by China. Can the monarchy truly withstand pressure from China and for how long? The monarchy is used to Swaziland getting away from any form of international scrutiny because of size, be it on human rights or democracy. However, I doubt it will escape the Chinese pressure, he adds.

See also

China closes embassies to Swazi people to force kingdom to drop support for Taiwan

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/02/china-closes-embassies-to-swazi-people.html

 

Swaziland calls on UN to admit Taiwan

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/04/swaziland-calls-on-un-to-admit-taiwan.html

China closes embassies to Swazi people to force kingdom to drop support for Taiwan

China has closed all its embassies except in South Africa to Swaziland (eSwatini) people seeking visas to visit the country for leisure of business.

In a statement it said the move could ‘cripple’ Swaziland’s business and economic development. China is Swaziland’s second largest trading partner.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) wants Swaziland to end diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan broke away from China in 1949 and has been largely unrecognised in the international community since then.

Taiwan, which calls itself the Republic of China, is not a member of the United Nations which has a ‘one-China’ policy that recognises Taiwan is a part of China.

Swaziland is the only country in Africa and only one of 17 in the world that recognises Taiwan. 

A statement from Lin Songtian, the Ambassador of the PRC to South Africa, was published in the Swaziland News, an online newspaper.

The statement read in part, ‘The eSwatini people have come to realize the fact that the long-existing immoral and abnormal relations between their country and the Taiwan Authority, a region of China, does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of the eSwatini and its people.’

It added Swaziland had been benefiting greatly from business relations with the PRC while refusing to recognize the one-China policy. 

‘Such an immoral and abnormal situation is unfair and unacceptable to the Chinese government and people and cannot, shall not, be allowed to continue,’ the statement said.

It added, ‘As a friendly gesture and transitional arrangement, the Chinese government has no choice but to close all the windows in the world, except the Embassy of the PRC in Pretoria for eSwatini people both officially and privately to apply visas to Mainland China. 

‘The responsibility for the difficulties and inconvenience arose therefrom does not come from the Chinese side.’ It said the door of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa was open for the Swaziland government to talk and find a solution.

‘But one thing must be clear that no diplomatic relations, no more business benefits.’

It added,  ‘The ball is on the court of eSwatini side. It is the right time for the eSwatini government and people to make a right choice for win-win cooperation or continue to keep silent to and remain the immoral and abnormal relations with Taiwan, as a region of China.’

Thulie Dladla, the Swazi Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation would not comment on the statement.

Jeremy Liang, the Ambassador of Taiwan in Swaziland told the Swaziland News the conduct of the PRC amounted to ‘bullying and interfering’ in the affairs of eSwatini.

Swaziland makes a lot of its relationship with Taiwan. In 2018 Taiwan gave King Mswati III, the absolute monarch, US$1.3 million towards the cost of his 50^th birthday celebration. In April 2018 the King called on the United Nations to admit Taiwan to the organisation.

Many Taiwanese-owned businesses in Swaziland, especially in textiles, have been criticised for their poor treatment of workers who have staged strikes and other protests to draw attention to the situation.

In July 2014 a survey of the Swazi textile industry undertaken by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) revealed workers were subjected to harsh and sometimes abusive conditions, many of the kingdom’s labour laws were routinely violated by employers, and union activists were targeted by employers for punishment. More than 90 percent of workers surveyed reported being punished by management for making errors, not meeting quotas or missing shifts. 

More than 70 percent of survey respondents reported witnessing verbal and physical abuse in their workplace by supervisors.

In November 2018 it was reported students from Swaziland studying in Taiwan were being made to work in a frozen chicken factory for 40 hours a week to pay for tuition and accommodation. If they tried to leave their university would punish them and their condition were likened to slavery.

See also

Swaziland students in Taiwan forced to work ‘like slaves’ in frozen chicken factory

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/11/swaziland-students-in-taiwan-forced-to.html

 

Taiwan first guest at King’s party

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/taiwan-first-guest-at-kings-birthday.html

Swaziland calls on UN to admit Taiwan

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/04/swaziland-calls-on-un-to-admit-taiwan.html

Swaziland absolute monarch given reminder of Commonwealth’s human rights values

The Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland presented the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini) King Mswati III with a copy of the Commonwealth Charter during her visit to the kingdom.

The Charter sets out the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy and human rights.

Swaziland is a member of the Commonwealth.

The King rules Swaziland where political parties are barred from taking part in elections. The King choses the Prime minister and cabinet minister as well as job judges and civil servants. Freedoms of expression, assembly and association are severely curtailed. Groups advocating for democracy are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

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’.

The Commonwealth Secretary General met King Mswati at Ludzidzini, one of the King’s 13 palaces. About seven in ten of the 1.3 million population of Swaziland live in abject poverty.

Scotland was in Swaziland as part of a tour of Commonwealth countries.

The Commonwealth describes its Charter as ‘a document of the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth – democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

‘The Charter expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth.   

‘The Charter also acknowledges the role of civil society in supporting the goals and values of the Commonwealth.’

On democracy the Charter states, ‘We recognise the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through free and fair elections in shaping the society in which they live. Governments, political parties and civil society are responsible for upholding and promoting democratic culture and practices and are accountable to the public in this regard. Parliaments and representative local governments and other forms of local governance are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance.’

There have been many calls for Swaziland to be suspended from the Commonwealth because of its poor human rights record.

Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland presents the absolute monarch of Swaziland King Mswati III with the Commonwealth Charter: Courtesy picture

See also

No let-up in restrictions of freedom of association and assembly in Swaziland: Human Rights Watch

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/01/no-let-up-in-restrictions-of-freedom-of.html

 

Swaziland in economic freefall with human rights failings, report shows

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/04/swaziland-in-economic-freefall-with.html

Police violence, undemocratic elections, hunger and disease: highlights of Swaziland’s human rights violations

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/10/police-violence-undemocratic-elections.html

Swaziland’s absolute monarch tells parliament to ignore calls for democracy and stick with him

King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), told his parliament to ignore calls for democratic change and instead embrace the culture that allows him and his family to rule unhindered.

He was speaking at the opening of the 2020 parliament on Friday (31 January 2020).

The parliament has no powers and acts mainly as a rubber-stamp for the King. Political parties are barred from taking part in elections and the King appoints the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. He also selects top judges and civil servants.

He appoints 10 of the 69 members of the House of Assembly. None of the 30 members of the Swazi Senate are elected by the people.

Groups that advocate for democracy are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

The King told Parliament, ‘Democracy is tailored towards the cultural norms and beliefs of each nation. we call upon all Emaswati [Swazi people] including those living abroad, to remain true to their identity. 

‘They should place the interest of our nation above their own. we should cherish our unity and family relationship that has existed since our predecessors founded this great nation so many years ago.’

He added, ‘God gave each nation its unique culture to practice and pass on to future generations. there is no culture or ideology that is supreme which has to be imposed on other nations of the world.’

In September 2013 King Mswati announced that Swaziland would be ruled by what he called ‘Monarchical Democracy.’  He said this meant he would take advice from his subjects before making decisions that affected the kingdom.

The King has been under increasing criticism from democratic nations to allow his subjects the opportunity to have political parties and elect their own government.

Following the 2018 national election the United Nations Human Rights Committee stated the ‘legitimacy and credibility’ of the election was ‘significantly hampered’ because political parties were banned. The King had ‘excessive powers’ in the appointment of the Government, Parliament and the judiciary, it stated.

It added, ‘The legitimacy and credibility of the elections was significantly hampered by the design of the electoral mechanisms as a culture of political pluralism is lacking. There is no freedom of genuine and pluralistic political debate, political parties are unable to register, contest elections, field candidates or otherwise participate in the formation of a Government.’

Following the election King Mswati appointed six members of his Royal Family to the House of Assembly and eight members to the Senate.

About seven in ten of the 1.3 million population of Swaziland live in abject poverty.

The King has been criticised internationally for his lavish lifestyle. He has two private airplanes, at least 13 palaces and fleets of top-of-the-range cars. At his 50^th birthday in 2018 he wore a watch worth US$1.6 million and a suit beaded with diamonds that weighed 6 kg. Days earlier he had taken delivery of his second private jet. This one, an Airbus A340, cost US$13.2 to purchase but with VIP upgrades was estimated to have cost US$30 million.

In November 2019 King Mswati bought a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars for himself and his family. Reports on the number purchased have ranged from 13 to 15 and they were reported to have cost up to US$4 million.

In the same month Swaziland also bought him 126 BMW cars and motorbikes to escort the Royal family around the kingdom.

By Richard Rooney

See also

U.S. Ambassador to Swaziland renews criticism of King’s lavish spending while people live in poverty

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/us-ambassador-to-swaziland-renews.html

The truth of ‘monarchical democracy’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-truth-of-monarchical-democracy.html

New name for non-democracy

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/09/kings-new-name-for-non-democracy.html