Swaziland journalist critical of King flees, hides in forest five days

Eugene Dube, the journalist critical of King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), who was beaten by police and is facing a treason charge hid in a forest for five days as he made his escape.

Dube who edits an online newspaper called Swati Newsweek wrote and published a number of articles critical of the king and calling for democracy.

Writing in his own newspaper on Friday (15 May 2020) Dube told of his escape from police and his flight for freedom.

He said, ‘I find myself on the police’s WANTED list for giving a platform to a pro-democracy movement to air their views on the political situation in Swaziland.

Eugene Dube, in hiding from Swazi police

‘The Swaziland police turned my home into a war zone, fighting a journalist armed with only a pen. They came four times armed with guns within a month. I had to sleep in a forest after I was assaulted by police during their first arrival. This was during their allegedly “lawful raid”. I was subjected to extreme harassment; hence fleeing was the only remedy.

‘I had no food, no shelter in the forest where I was hiding. I had to sleep in the forest in fear of police’s continued torture and arrest. Cops were coming to my home every now and then. If I had committed a crime, they were free to charge me instead of harassment.’

Dube said Police Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane based in Mbabane Police Headquarters told him ‘When we come back to you Eugene, we will leave you reeling in a pool of blood. Stop criticizing the king.’ 

Dube spent more than five days hiding in the forest. ‘The first two days I had a loaf of bread. I was alerted that police were in my home while I had gone to buy bread. Hence I ended up with the loaf of bread in hiding in the forest.’ He later managed to get more bread.

Further details of Dube’s whereabouts are not being made public.

Swazi police also charged Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, President of the Swaziland Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), with sedition for comments he made in an a article published by Swati Newsweek.

In the report Ngcamphalala was quoted saying, ‘We want government to change people’s lives, the Swazi Monarchy must know its place. We respect the King, but respect is earned and when pushed into a corner; we will be forced to retaliate. We unapologetically stand for multi-party democracy.’

Dube wrote, ‘Cops tried to force me to testify against the EFF leader. This will put my journalism career at risk. I cannot interview a person today, and then once the story is published, the person is arrested. How can I be expected to testify against the same person? No, that cannot happen. It has never happened before that a journalist had to testify in such a political case in Swaziland. Cops are just persecuting the Swati Newsweek for exposing failures of King Mswati’s government. Our approach of promoting democracy has infuriated the Swazi Royal Family.’

See also

Swaziland journalist critical of absolute monarch, beaten, arrested, faces treason charge

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-journalist-critical-of.html

 

Swaziland democracy leader charged with sedition for criticising absolute monarch on news website

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-democracy-leader-charged-with.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

Coronavirus cases soar in Swaziland, public ignore Govt. lockdown

Nearly one third of the total 187 cases of coronavirus in Swaziland (eSwatini) were reported in the past seven days. This comes as evidence suggests that the government’s partial lockdown of the kingdom is not working.

An attempt to lockdown the city of Manzini and restrict people going in and out has seemingly come to little as people ignore restrictions on travel, movement and businesses.

The whole of Swaziland has been in partial lockdown since 27 March 2020. Some of the restrictions have been lifted but there are still limits to which businesses and shops can open, the number of people who can gather together, public transport and travel between towns and regions. Schools and colleges are closed.

On 27 April a severe lockdown was imposed on Manzini, the kingdom’s main commercial city with a population of about 110,000. The clampdown was spearheaded by the Swazi National Commissioner of Police William Dlamini. He said he had the support of the army and the correctional services (prison guards).

He said roadblocks would be set up to stop people getting in and out of the city without good reason. People across Swaziland had already been told they needed written permission to undertake some journeys. 

He said the three security services would visit business outlets to ensure that those prohibited from operating were closed and those allowed to open fully complied with guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health.

He added people found on the streets for no particular reason would be arrested for loitering. 

The police were also to work with the Ministry of Health in screening people at roadblocks. If a person was found to have a high temperature they would be tested for COVID-19 and if positive put into isolation. 

But, reporting by the Times of eSwatini on Tuesday (12 May 2020) suggests the lockdown is being widely ignored. 

It reported streets bustling with people. ‘Public transport was in and out of the city transporting those who were rushing to their various places of employment while others were descending from them.  The police who had been seeking permits or reasons of people seeking entry into the city were nowhere in sight at the entrance of the bus rank along Louw Street.

‘This activity was not limited to the public transport at the terminus but also saw dormant stalls coming to life as vendors selling an assortment of wares were active. The public was being offered a variety of delicacies that range from fat cakes, freshly baked scones to fresh fruits and vegetables.

‘This was the order of the day as clothing stores were operating as well. Before 10am, which is when the stores open for business, long queues were forming on the corridors leading to their entrances.’

It added police, army and prison wardens were visible in the city but in smaller numbers than previously. 

It said, ‘Despite government having made it a prerequisite that people should wear masks when in densely populated areas, some were not wearing their masks while others had them under their chins.’

Swaziland has been struggling to get a grip on the coronavirus (COVID-19) with a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers. At least 300,000 people, according to the Swazi Government’s own figures are in desperate need of food.

As of 13 May 2020 two people had died of coronavirus and 187 had tested positive (including 61 in the past seven days), according to the Ministry of Health. In a statement Lizzie Nkosi, Minister of Health, said there was an upward trend in cases. ‘The practice of the public health measures need to be strengthened at all levels. The public needs to be very cautious and vigilant.’

Of the 187 cases reported, 110 were from the Manzini region, she said. She added that screening for the virus had been increased in Manzini and this might have impacted the numbers.

See also

Army, police close down Swaziland’s main commercial city in bid to halt coronavirus spread

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/army-police-close-down-swazilands-main.html

 

Public need written permission to travel in Swaziland in big coronavirus clampdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/public-need-written-permission-to.html

Swaziland’s coronavirus lockdown in chaos as motorists beat travel ban

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swazilands-coronavirus-lockdown-in.html

Swaziland soldiers hit by coronavirus after infected senior officer refuses hospital treatment

A senior army officer in Swaziland (eSwatini) who tested positive for the coronavirus infected at least eight other soldiers when he discharged himself from hospital and returned to work.

The eSwatini Observer reported the man who has not been named was admitted at the Lubombo Referral Hospital. He returned to work and now eight soldiers are admitted to the clinic at Phocweni Army Barracks with coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Observer reported, ‘Sources claimed that the senior officer recently escaped from the hospital and returned to work, an act that is believed to have exposed the rest of his colleagues to the virus.’

Swaziland has been in partial lockdown because of coronavirus since 27 March 2020. Soldiers were ordered not to return home during lockdown and stay at their barracks. The officer reportedly defied this order.

In other coronavirus developments in Swaziland:

RESIDENTS HAVE expressed their fears over a plan to turn Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini into a quarantine centre for COVID-19 positive patients.

A MAN WHO tested positive for coronavirus in the Shiselweni region has gone missing and the Ministry of Health are appealing for information about his whereabouts. 

MORE THAN E85 million in cash has been made available to the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) disposal since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.  About half has already been spent.

AS OF 11 May there had been two deaths and 175 people tested positive for coronavirus, according to official Ministry of Health figures.

See also

Swaziland Govt. blunders over church lockdowns during coronavirus crisis

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-govt-blunders-over-church.html 

Swaziland Govt. tries for second time to ease coronavirus lockdown after previous attempt failed

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-govt-tries-for-second-time-to.html

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-costs-thousands-of.html

Swaziland King shows double standards about keeping safe from coronavirus

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-king-shows-double-standards.html

Swaziland Govt. blunders over church lockdowns during coronavirus crisis

Churches across Swaziland (eSwatini) were thrown into confusion after the Swazi Government announced a partial reopening from coronavirus lockdown and hours later changed its mind.

This was not the first time the government announced changes to its lockdown policy only to overturn its decision.

The latest confusion began when Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe announced on Saturday (9 May 2020) that churches would be allowed to reopen but had to keep congregations to 70 percent of the church’s capacity. Hours later the Swazi Cabinet announced the rule had been changed. Instead, a maximum of 70 people would be allowed in churches. 

At present the regulations guiding the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown restrict gatherings to a maximum of 20.

The decision to allow restrictions to be relaxed in churches came after lobbying from church leaders. No explanation was given as to why churches were given preferential treatment over other places where people gather, such as parks.

The Times of eSwatini on Monday reported the public reacted on social media with ‘shock and outrage’ at the news of the relaxation of the regulation. It quoted one post saying, ‘Let me just say that the decision to increase the number of people attending churches clearly shows that there is absolutely no scientific research that is informing government’s actions, but pure self-interest.’

This was not the first reversal by the Swazi Government. On 15 April 2020 the partial lockdown of Swaziland that had run for three weeks was relaxed. Days later it was tightened. Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini said people had become complacent and an increasing number of people were casual and lacked vigilance.

As of 10 May two people had died from coronavirus in Swaziland and 172 tested positive, according to official Ministry of Health figures.

See also

Swaziland Govt. tries for second time to ease coronavirus lockdown after previous attempt failed

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-govt-tries-for-second-time-to.html

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-costs-thousands-of.html

Swaziland King shows double standards about keeping safe from coronavirus

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-king-shows-double-standards.html

Swaziland King shows double standards about keeping safe from coronavirus

The Swaziland (eSwatini) absolute monarch King Mswati III in a television address on Thursday (7 May 2020) told his people that in order to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) they should wear facemasks. He also said, ‘It is also important that we do not spread this disease. We should all take the responsibility to protect ourselves and those around us.’

These photographs are from the King’s private birthday party on 19 April 2020. They were taken from a home movie posted on social media at the time. In one, the King has his face inches away from his birthday cake and he is blowing out candles. In so doing he would have been spreading hundreds and thousands of microscopic droplets all over the cake. The cake would then be eaten by his guests.

The second photo shows those around him are indeed wearing facemasks.

It looks like the King’s address to his people had an element of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ about it.

Richard Rooney

See also

Swaziland King reappears in public after months to make coronavirus address

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-king-reappears-in-public.html

Swaziland King reappears in public after months to make coronavirus address

King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), made his first public appearance on Thursday (7 May 2020) since the start of the coronavirus crisis with a television address from the Ludzidzini Royal Residence.

King Mswati III makes his first public appearance since the coronavirus crisis began. Picture: Govt. of eSwatini

In late March a key ally of the King, Lusendvo Fakudze, the Ludzidzini Palace Governor, confirmed to the Swaziland News, an online newspaper, that the King was in social isolation because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The News reported at the time that Fakudze said, ‘Currently, no visitors are allowed to see the King, our only focus now is to educate the public about this epidemic as per the command of the King.’

He gave no further details about the King’s health which led to speculation about his condition. 

In April, the Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini made reference to reports on social media and in international media that King Mswati was ‘critically ill’. He said, ‘His Majesty is well and healthy. Those misleading the nation about his health will be dealt with in line with the law.’

This was a indirect reference to Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of the Swaziland News, an online newspaper, who had been vigorously reporting the King’s absence. The eSwatini Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by the King, reported that police were searching for him.

Police raided Dlamini’s home but he was not there. Police reportedly harassed his wife and two small children. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), a pro-democracy group banned in Swaziland, reported, ‘Dlamini was first subjected to police torture two months ago and told to stop reporting about the king and the royal family. The editor has now been declared a wanted person by the police.’

In his address to the kingdom, King Mswati made a passing reference to his absence from public life but gave no details as to whether he had been ill.

He called on all people to respect the seriousness of coronavirus and follow his government’s health guidelines to always wash their hands with soap and water, use hand sanitisers, keep social distance, avoid shaking of hands and stay at home if there was no pressing need to be outside.

But, answering questions from reporters after the address he supported the use of herbal drinks in the fight against the virus. 

The Independent News, eSwatini, reported, the King said, ‘COVID-19 is a novel disease, anything, could it be natural (herbs), can be used to treat the disease.’ It added, ‘He encouraged researchers in the country to put their minds together in a move to come with a natural or herbal remedy for COVID-19.’

See also

Assault on human rights follows coronavirus lockdown in Swaziland

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/assault-on-human-rights-follows.html

Chaos as Swaziland Govt. misses target to start food aid for destitute in coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chaos-as-swaziland-govt-misses-target.html

Swaziland Govt. tries for second time to ease coronavirus lockdown after previous attempt failed

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government is once again to ease the coronavirus lockdown in the kingdom. When it tried to do this three weeks ago it reversed its decision within days because it encouraged people to lack vigilance in preventing the transmission of the virus.

Swaziland which is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III has been in lockdown for six weeks since 27 March 2020. Businesses have been restricted, travel severely limited and gatherings of more than 20 people banned.

At least 300,000 face severe hunger as people cannot afford to buy food because they no longer have paid jobs.

On Wednesday (6 May 2020) Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced new rules that would ease the lockdown but not end it completely.

His announcement came on the same day Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health, reported the second death from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Swaziland. There have also been 123 confirmed cases of the virus.

Dlamini announced, ‘the gradual opening of the economy’. He said, ‘The formal and informal economy must be given the impetus to come back to life and feed the countless families spread around our beautiful Kingdom. The importance of having a vibrant economy that creates jobs and supports livelihoods needs no reminder.’

He detailed the changes as follows:

1. Manufacturing and Production companies that have international orders to fulfil. They shall operate under strict WHO and Ministry of Health Guidelines. 

2. Agents and Consultants to operate three times a week.

3. Furniture Shops shall open three times a week; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 3pm. 

4. Dry Cleaners shall also operate under similar conditions as furniture shops. 

5. Retail Clothing Shops, tailors and dressmakers (that produce face masks and PPE) to operate three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 9am and 3pm. 

6. Vehicle testing stations shall operate three times a week. 

7. Deco Shops to operate three times a week. 

The Prime Minister said, ‘These businesses will have to demonstrate capability to implement strict COVID-19 regulations and hygiene standards to prevent the spread of the virus. They will have to seek permission to operate from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade where they will prove that they have put in place very strong and stringent systems adhering to health precautions and ensuring that employees are able to practise social distancing, have adequate hand washing facilities, sanitizers, wear masks, among others.’

He added, ‘Any company failing to meet or comply with these precautionary measures will either be closed or denied permission to operate. It is important to emphasize that the eased measures do not mean all business will be allowed to operate.’

Social, sports and entertainment activities and gatherings remain banned until further notice. Everyone else will be expected to stay at home. Schools and colleges would remain closed.

Public transport will be allowed to operate at 70 percent capacity in a controlled manner and time. There will be strict adherence to the wearing of masks for all passengers.

At present Swazi police are giving on-the-spot fines to people found out of their homes for no legitimate reason.

The Prime Minister said, ‘There should be no reason to leave home except for workers in the permitted businesses and for citizens strictly looking for food or medical attention.’

He added in time the government would categorise areas of Swaziland as red, orange, yellow and green zones according to their levels of risk.

‘This is aimed at introducing a variable application of the partial lockdown from one specific geographical location to another,’ he said.

He added, ‘At the current rate, the Manzini region, and in particular the Manzini peri-urban and surrounding areas are classified as a red zone. Other cities and towns are categorised as orange zones.’

He said, ‘This zoning strategy will help government to target specific interventions to affected areas efficiently, such as testing, fumigation and decontamination of public spaces.’

See also

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-costs-thousands-of.html

 

Army, police close down Swaziland’s main commercial city in bid to halt coronavirus spread

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/army-police-close-down-swazilands-main.html

Chaos as Swaziland Govt. misses target to start food aid for destitute in coronavirus lockdown

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government’s plan to feed 300,000 people during the present coronavirus lockdown is in shambles. 

On 22 April 2020, Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced they would be fed within 14 days. That deadline was reached on Wednesday (6 May 2020) and no food has been delivered via the government scheme.

Instead there has been turmoil in parliament. The House of Assembly refused to back a plan from the Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku to send destitute people money rather than food.

Then it was revealed that the government had no plan to feed people living in towns and cities.

Then there was chaos across the kingdom as people who tried to register for food aid were turned away.

The latest twist was a report that some people were being charged E50 to have their names put on the registration list. In normal times about seven in ten of the population live on incomes less than the equivalent of US$2 (E37) a day.

Swaziland has been in partial lockdown since 27 March with only essential businesses allowed to operate, travel severely restricted and people banned from meeting in groups of more than 20. Almost as soon as the lockdown started reports circulated of people unable to feed themselves because they no longer had incomes.

In response Ambrose Dlamini announced a government food aid scheme. He said it would, ‘Provide food assistance to the most vulnerable of our society that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The food assistance will benefit over 300,000 individuals from 63,000 households across all four regions of the Kingdom.’ The total population of Swaziland is about 1.3 million.

It was one of several pledges the Prime Minister made on 22 April that he said would be fulfilled over the coming two weeks.

Almost immediately, the Swazi House of Assembly rejected a plan put forward by Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku to send people money instead of food. 

The plan was to spend about E270 million (US$14 million) with government distributing about E45 million per month to 301,762 people across the kingdom.

Masuku said the scheme would give people the choice on what food to buy and stop them  gathering together to receive parcels and risk catching coronavirus (COVID-19). He said it would also save on the cost of delivering food.
 

A number of members of parliament thought the plan was open to corruption and money might not be used for the intended purpose of buying food. 

Then Wandile Mavuso, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), which is organising the food relief, confirmed that people in urban areas would not get food. He explained on state radio that the government was directing its efforts only to rural areas.

He said the government would only work in places where there were ‘local structures’ in place. This would include chiefs and those who worked with chiefs. Mavuso said this would ensure that ‘deserving beneficiaries’ were identified.

Even without a definite plan for food distribution in place, the NDMA set about registering the names of people wanting to apply for aid. This descended into chaos as hundreds of people ignored social distancing guidelines and queued to register.

The Sunday Observer reported 200 residents of Msunduza crammed an assembly point. It said, ‘Despite having been registered by their health motivators, the residents had to be re-registered by the Food Security Consortium coordinated by the NDMA.’

It added, the Food Security Consortium refused to register the residents because of their numbers and they did not maintain social distancing.

 

Residents of Msunduza ignore social distancing guidelines to queue to register for food aid. Picture: eSwatini Observer

On Tuesday (5 May 2020), the Times of eSwatini reported politicians were ‘fighting’ with the NDMA over who should register people. NDMA Chief Executive Officer Russell Dlamini said there was confusion about who should make the assessment of a person’s eligibility.

On Wednesday the Times reported that some people in the Shiselweni region of Swaziland were being forced to pay E50 before they could register for food aid. It reported, ‘As a result people are complaining that a lot of deserving folks have been left out of the list simply because they did not have the money to pay.’

The NDMA said it had not received reports about this.

On Tuesday NDMA Chief Executive Russell Dlamini announced distribution of food parcels would start on Friday (8 May 2020) in two areas of Swaziland but he would not name them. 

Richard Rooney

See also

Swaziland police fine man trying to buy food for destitute children during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-police-fine-man-trying-to-buy.html

Swaziland Govt. confirms it will not feed the starving in towns and cities during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-confirms-it-will-not.html

Swaziland Govt. pledges to feed 300,000 facing hunger in next two weeks as coronavirus intensifies

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-pledges-to-feed-300000.html

People face ‘imminent death from hunger’ in Swaziland as coronavirus lockdown hits poorest

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/people-face-imminent-death-from-hunger.html

Domestic abuse cases double in Swaziland during coronavirus lockdown

The number of recorded domestic abuse cases in Swaziland (eSwatini) has doubled during the present coronavirus lockdown.

The Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) said at least 40 cases had been reported to the group between 30 March 2020 and 24 April. Swaziland has been in partial lockdown since 27 March. All but essential businesses are closed, travel is severely restricted and gatherings are banned. People found by police on the streets without a legitimate reason are fined.

SWAGAA said that in a usual month it received 15 to 20 cases.

Of the recently reported cases 27 related to ‘emotional abuse’. There were five cases of ‘sexual abuse’.

In other coronavirus (COVID-19) developments in Swaziland:

A LAWYER has questioned whether the police have the legal authority to fine people for not wearing facemasks as this has not been provided for in government regulations. 

DEMOCRACY activists whose homes have been subjected to police raids in recent weeks accused police of spreading coronavirus because they did not wear protective facemasks. At least 10 officers at a time have been involved in the raids. 

THE SWAZILAND National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has given the Swazi Government 15 demands it wants met before it will agree to the reopening of the kingdom’s 970 schools and 30 tertiary institutions.  These included extensive disinfection. 

A MAGISTRATE was reportedly among a number of people given on-the-spot fines by police for breaking coronavirus lockdown restrictions on social gatherings. 

See also

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-costs-thousands-of.html

Swaziland Govt. confirms it will not feed the starving in towns and cities during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-confirms-it-will-not.html

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

More than 8,000  people have been laid off from their jobs in Swaziland (eSwatini) because of the coronavirus lockdown presently gripping the kingdom.

The figure, released by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, does not include unknown numbers of people who work for themselves or in the informal economy. The figures only included those firms that had officially informed the ministry. The number out of work is therefore expected to grow.

In a statement released on Monday (4 May 2020) Minister of Labour and Social Security Makhosi Vilakati said 43 companies had laid off a total of 8,429 workers. Of those 8,121 were from six companies in the textile industry. 

Swaziland has been in a partial lockdown since 27 March with only essential services allowed to operate. The laid-off workers are not being paid.

Vilakati said he expected the workers to get their jobs back when the crisis was over.

Meanwhile, the Times of eSwatini reported, the Acting Commissioner of Labour Mthunzi Shabangu said that there were more than 20 companies which had reported that they would be forced to lay off workers because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Shabangu said more than 5,000 workers had been affected to date and that figure might double.

Landlords in the industrial town of Matsapha where many textile firms are based have reportedly evicted tenants from their homes because of non-payment of rent. The eSwatini Observer reported on Monday that people had been seen vacating one-bedroom flats during the weekend.

It reported, ‘Most of those who were moving out made it clear that they could no longer stay in the rented flats because they were in arrears for March and April and landlords were uncompromising when it comes to rent.

‘What makes the situation worse, according to some textile workers, is that they are not sure if they would still have their jobs when the situation normalises.’

One woman told the Observer, ‘I am a textile factory worker and due to the spread of the COVID-19,  we were told to stay home without pay. Things have been hard for me, I can barely put food on the table for my three  children.’

See also

Swaziland Govt. confirms it will not feed the starving in towns and cities during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-confirms-it-will-not.html

 

People face ‘imminent death from hunger’ in Swaziland as coronavirus lockdown hits poorest

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/people-face-imminent-death-from-hunger.html

Swaziland democracy leader charged with sedition for criticising absolute monarch on news website

Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters-Swaziland (EFF), has been charged with sedition for criticisms he made of absolute monarch King Mswati III on the Swati Newsweek website.

Last month, Eugene Dube, the Swati Newsweek editor, was arrested, tortured by police and threatened with a charge of treason for publishing the report.

In the report Ngcamphalala was quoted saying, ‘We want government to change people’s lives, the Swazi Monarchy must know its place. We respect the King, but respect is earned and when pushed into a corner; we will be forced to retaliate. We unapologetically stand for multi-party democracy.’

In Swaziland (eSwatini), King Mswati chooses the Prime Minister and government ministers as well as top judges and civil servants. Political parties cannot take part in elections and groups campaigning for democratic reforms are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Ngcamphalala was interviewed by Swati Newsweek for a report on the Economic Freedom Fighters-Swaziland which had recently set up in the kingdom. He said the party was inspired by the socio-economic situation of the people of eSwatini. Seven in ten of the 1.3 million population live in abject poverty.

Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters-Swaziland

He said members came from a number of occupations and also included student activists and trade unionists.

In the report published on 14 April 2020, he said, ‘What sets us apart from the other parties is our manner of approach. We believe in a table of dialogue through mobilizing people from the streets at grassroots level. We are ready to fight for the rights of workers, students and the unemployed as we are a militant, anti-capitalist and anti-dictatorship movement. We are an all-inclusive movement, and we will use the constitution where it serves justice but challenge it when it does not serve the people.’

Ngcamphalala was charged under the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938.

The charge sheet said he ‘did unlawfully promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between the inhabitants of eSwatini by uttering seditious words which then published, printed, or distributed or reproduced through a Swati Newsweek Newspaper’.

See also

Swaziland journalist critical of absolute monarch, beaten, arrested, faces treason charge

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-journalist-critical-of.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

Newspaper editor flees Swaziland for second time after arrest and police torture

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/03/newspaper-editor-flees-swaziland-for.html
 

‘Attempt made to poison journalist critic of Swaziland’s absolute monarch,’ editor says

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/12/attempt-made-to-poison-journalist.html

Swaziland police fine man trying to buy food for destitute children during coronavirus lockdown

Police in Swaziland (eSwatini) fined a man who was out buying food for destitute children during the coronavirus lockdown.

He had to use some of the money that had been donated for food to pay the on-the-spot penalty.

Khulekani Msweli later wrote an open letter to Swazi Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku complaining about the police.

The Swazi Government, personally appointed by King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland, has put the kingdom into lockdown. Travel is severely restricted, businesses closed and police are fining people they find on the streets without a ‘legitimate excuse’. 

Masuku told the Swazi House of Assembly last week that more than 300,000 people in Swaziland from a population of 1.3 million needed food aid because they were without an income during the lockdown.

Msweli said he was on his way to buy foodstuff at Tshaneni to prepare meals for destitute residents of Vuvulane, organised by the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Outreach Foundation.

The community of Vuvulane: Picture: Khulekani Msweli

New travel restrictions imposed by Police Chief William Dlamini require people to have letters of permission to be travelling. Msweli said he tried to get one from a local leader but his office was closed.

He said he was stopped at a police road block and dragged from the car. He was travelling alone and wore a face mask as required by coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations.

He was taken to Tshaneni Police Station. 

Msweli wrote, ‘Throughout that ordeal, I was consistently trying to explain to them that my shop visit was out of desperation to feed children that are at the brink of survival, but none of my pleas were adhered to.’ He said the police threatened to lock him up.

He added he broke down and pleaded with them to have mercy on those who depended on the food that he was going to buy. 

‘To them, I was just as good as a criminal and deserved to be locked away for caring for others. The accusing policeman eventually fined me E60. I paid on the spot using money which was donated and meant to buy food for the neediest members of my community,’ Msweli wrote.

Msweli added, ‘The government cannot claim to be saving lives yet children might die of hunger not COVID-19. To criminalize, harass and humiliate those that are stepping in, where government is surely failing, is beyond belief. Is the government of eSwatini on a mission to kill all poor people?’

He added that he ‘fought back’ until he eventually bought all the food that was needed.

He told the Deputy Prime Minister, ‘The fact remains that the Government of eSwatini, through its police unit, has “stolen” an impoverished child’s E60, which was meant to buy their food. That E60 was meant to buy food that equates to at least two meals but two children were denied those meals.’

He added, ‘What must I tell the two children that will be without a meal, yet money was allocated to them? This whole week they were looking forward to their best and balanced meal, which other children received, but what will I tell them? What sense of hope must I offer them when the Police are punishing and “stealing” from the only people that seem to care about their welfare?’

He said, ‘As we are all doing our best to contain the spread of COVID-19, let us not find ourselves with a human rights catastrophe of hunger related deaths that could have been avoided.’

The Deputy Prime Minister later contacted Msweli to apologise. He said he had asked the National Police Commissioner William Dlamini to ‘deal with the matter’.

See also

Swaziland Govt. confirms it will not feed the starving in towns and cities during coronavirus lockdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-confirms-it-will-not.html

Swaziland Govt. pledges to feed 300,000 facing hunger in next two weeks as coronavirus intensifies

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/swaziland-govt-pledges-to-feed-300000.html

People face ‘imminent death from hunger’ in Swaziland as coronavirus lockdown hits poorest

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/people-face-imminent-death-from-hunger.html

Army, police close down Swaziland’s main commercial city in bid to halt coronavirus spread

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/army-police-close-down-swazilands-main.html
 

Public need written permission to travel in Swaziland in big coronavirus clampdown

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/04/public-need-written-permission-to.html