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SWAZILAND GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT
NO: 1/2008

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SOCIAL FORUM MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE COUNTRY


1. THE GOVERNMENT OF SWAZILAND HAS LEARNT THROUGH ITS RELIABLE
SOURCES AND LOCAL MEDIA THAT AN ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE SOUTHERN
AFRICAN SOCIAL FORUM INTENDS TO HOST A MEETING THE KINGDOM OF
SWAZILAND FROM 16TH - 18 OCTOBER 2008. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN
FORMALLY INFORMED OF THIS PROPOSED MEETING.

2. HOWEVER, FROM THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE IT IS THE VIEW OF THE
SWAZILAND GOVERNMENT THAT THE HOSTING OF THE MEETING IN THE COUNTRY
WILL NOT BE IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST, AND WILL COMPROMISE PEACE,
SECÙRITY AND STABIL1TY OF THE KINGDOM OF SWAZIIÀND. CONSEQUENTLY, THE
MEETING CANNOT BE HELD IN THE KINGDOM.

3. GOVERNMENT WISHES TO STATE THAT IN THE UNIKELY EVËNT THAT THE
MEETING GOES AHEAD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SE COMPELLED TO APPLY THE LAW
TO ITS FULLEST EXTENT.

4. IN CONCLUSIONJ THE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT TO WORK WITH
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE OBJECTIVES ARE IN LINE
WITH THË NATIONAL ASPIR.ATIONS AND PRIORITIES.


OFFICE OF THE ACTING HEAD OF GOVERNMENT 13TH OCTOBER 2008.

______________________________

1. Swaziland bans international civil rights meeting. Afrol News, 14
October 2008.

2. COSATU Media Release, 15 October 2008: Boycott, go-slow and
non-handling of goods to Swaziland.

3. Civil Rights Groups Challenge Monarch?s Wednesday Meeting Ban.
Peter Clottey, Washington, D.C. Voice of America, 15 October 2008.

4. COSATU International Department, SACP International Department:
Memorandum to the Swazi Consulate. 14 October, 2008

5. Emanuel Ndlangamandla: Southern African Social Forum in Swaziland
still on. 14 October, 2008.

6. Acting Prime Minister flexes his muscles: Banning of Southern
Africa Social Forum. Arthur Mordaunt, Times of Swaziland, October 14,
2008

______________________________

1. Swaziland bans international civil rights meeting. Afrol News, 14
October 2008.

Following royal orders, Swaziland's Prime Minister Bheki Dlamini has
banned the regional Southern African Social Forum (SASF), to be hold
in the kingdom later this week. The King feared the regional civil
rights meeting could become "destabilising" for the monarchy.

The Social Forum is a regional version of the World Social Forum, the
world?s biggest space for civil society organisations and peoples of
the world to reflect on the challenges facing humanity and the share
experiences, so as to develop a concrete way forward. It is a people?s
parliament, where regional activists from all over Southern Africa
were to gather to plan joint action and develop common platforms.

Swaziland's absolute monarch, Mswati III, however ordered the
cancellation of the event at short notice as it became clear that many
organisations being critical to his regime would attend. The Forum was
to be held on Thursday, coinciding with the day scheduled for Mswati's
appointment of a new government following last month's "elections".

The banning of the regional event today caused outrage among Southern
African civil society organisations, demonstrating solidarity with
their repressed counterparts in Swaziland. Most vocal was South
Africa's trade union - affiliated to the ruling ANC party - telling
the Swazi Consular General "siyaya Eswaziland!" ("We are definitely
going to Swaziland!") in a open letter. Also two Swazi trade unions,
SFTU and SUDF, signed the petition against "this act of desperation by
an internationally discredited regime."

According to these trade unions, other Southern African civil society
organisations and the ANC Youth League, the banning of the Social
Forum was "consistent with the regime's historical record of silencing
workers and the poor people of Swaziland, which has been the case
since 1973 when king Sobhuza II banned political parties and
criminalised all political activities, thus monopolising all political
power and access to public decision-making as the exclusive preserve
of the royal family."

The organisations promised to take action against King Mswati's
regime. The organisations urged all participants to defy the ban and
travel to Swaziland as planned, while Swazi groups are to try the ban
in court. COSATU is meeting Swazi unions as part of a long standing
plan for a boycott campaign against goods destined to Swaziland,
scheduled for the period of 27 October to 1 November. Further, trade
unions promised to put pressure on the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) to ban Swazi officials from important positions in
the regional body.

For the Swazi government, the Forum indeed comes at a delicate timing
as regional and international focus had turned on to the kingdom after
the poor holding of elections. The 19 September polls were widely
condemned as highly manipulated and "a parody", resulting in the total
loss of confidence in King Mswati's announced democratisation scheme.
In Swaziland, trade unions have represented the strongest challenge to
the King's totalitarian rule, triggering solidarity from COSATU and
other regional trade union movements.

King Mswati thus expected the Forum to become a nucleus of protest
against his announcement of a new government on Thursday, ordering PM
Dlamini to ban it. Mr Dlamini yesterday issued a statement, saying
that is was "of the view of the Swaziland government that the hosting
of the meeting in the country will not be in national interest, and
will compromise peace, security and stability of the kingdom of
Swaziland."

______________________________

2. COSATU Media Release, 15 October 2008: Boycott, go-slow and
non-handling of goods to Swaziland.


The Congress of South African Trade Unions, together with its
affiliates and its working-class and Civil Society allies, has
organised a week of boycott, go-slow and non-handling of goods to
Swaziland.

This is to protest against the lack of democracy in that country,
which is still ruled by a kleptocratic absolute monarch, and also
against specific grievances including the outrageous banning of the
Southern African Social Forum by the royal-puppet, appointee Swazi
government this week.

This week of multiple actions commences on 27 October 2008 and
continues until 1 November 2008.

More details of these actions will follow in due course.

For further details please contact:

COSATU International Department, Bongani Masuku, 079 499 6419
SACP International Department, Lucian Segami, 011 339 3633
Swaziland Solidarity Network, Lucky Lukhele, 072 502 4141

______________________________

3. Civil Rights Groups Challenge Monarch?s Wednesday Meeting Ban.
Peter Clottey, Washington, D.C. Voice of America, 15 October 2008.


Swaziland's independent civil right groups are filing a court case
Wednesday, challenging the absolute monarch's decision to ban its
meeting scheduled for Thursday. The government contends that
tomorrow's scheduled meeting will not only harm the country's
interest. Officials argue it would compromise peace, security and
stability. But local groups dismiss the government's remarks, saying
forum participants from across the southern Africa sub-region had been
expected to discuss calls on King Mswati III to accept political
parties and other democratic reforms.

Thembinkosi Dlamini is a major proponent of the civil rights groups.
From the capital, Mbabane he tells reporter Peter Clottey that the
social forum is an open space for reflective thinking, democratic
debates of ideas, and the free exchange of experiences.

"We are indeed prepared to go ahead and take government to court today
to enforce our rights as per the constitution in section 25, which
talks about the freedom of assembly and association, because as of
yesterday, the government has reaffirmed its position that it would
not allow this meeting to go ahead, especially, because the organizers
are aligning themselves with COSATU (The Congress of South African
Trade Unions), and allowing this meeting to go ahead would not be in
the nation's interest. And it was a threat to national peace and
stability," Dlamini noted.

He denied the civil rights groups are aimed at destabilizing the
country, as the government is asserting.

"We were actually taken aback by the government stance, especially
because the Southern African Social Forum has a regional meeting,
which addresses issues of poverty, issues of regional solidarity and
issues of oppression, democracy and governance, and other issues that
are sort of problematic to the development of the region. One of the
issues that was going to be discussed, for instance, is the issue of
the current food crisis, the fuel crisis, and also the credit crisis
that is ongoing in the whole world," he said.

Dlamini said the absolute monarch is behaving as if he is unaware of
the objectives and the non-partisan nature of the social forum.

"We do not understand why now, all of a sudden, the government is
taking such a stance when in the past, they have known that the social
forums have been held everywhere in the world, in Europe, in Lartin
America, in Africa, and even in Southern Africa, where social forums
have been heard and there were never reports of any problems with
regards to national security," Dlamini pointed out.

He said the groups are hopeful their court challenge of the monarch's
meeting ban would be upheld, although he said the odds are stacked
against them.

"The problem here is the independence of the judiciary is not
guaranteed. And based on our previous experience with such cases that
involved particularly section 25 of the constitution, you find that
the courts do not come out strong to enforce those rights, obviously
because of the lack of independence on the part of the judiciary. So
we are really banking on the courts to at least this time make a
statement to say the government cannot be allowed to go ahead
violating people's human rights in the country. However, I would say
our chances are 50-50," he said.

Dlamini said the groups would abide by the courts' decision if it
rules against them.

"That would be an unfortunate situation of course, however, we are in
constant contact with our partners in the region and continue to look
at alternatives. However, being law-abiding citizens in this country,
we would be sort of obliged to abide by the court's decision in this
instance," Dlamini noted.

Meanwhile, King Mswati III is expected to appoint a new prime minister
following the parliamentary elections held last month that were
denounced as a burlesque of democracy.

Political observers say despite occasional unrest and a growing
democracy movement, Swaziland is overwhelmingly peaceful. But police
have reportedly prevented demonstrations by the king's critics.

A significant number of members of parliaments from across Africa who
observed last September vote said it did not meet both regional and
international standards for democratic elections.

___________________________________

4. COSATU International Department, SACP International Department:
Memorandum to the Swazi Consulate. 14 October, 2008


Consular General, Swazi Consulate
Mr Ernest Tsabedze
Braamfontein Centre, 6th Floor
23 Jorissen Street
Tel: (+2711) 403 2036
Fax: (+2711) 403 7473

SIYAYA ESWAZILAND!
(We are definitely going to Swaziland!)


We condemn banning of the Southern African Social Forum in Swaziland

Following the banning of the Southern African Social Forum (SASF) in
Swaziland announced yesterday by the Prime minister of Swaziland,
Bheki Dlamini, we, the civil society representatives from COSATU and
its affiliates, SACP, YCL, SASCO, HURISA, OSISA, FOCUS (Congo), and
ANCYL, as well as SFTU and SUDF from Swaziland convened here today,
wish to strongly condemn this act of desperation by an internationally
discredited regime, the tinkhundla royal regime whose time is up.

We continue to note that following the undemocratic elections recently
and the extravagant royal bash dubbed 40/40, the Swazi monarchy has
never ceased to expose himself and SADC, which put him on the
chairpersonship of the Organ troika on Politics, defence and security,
a body entrusted with the promotion and defence of democracy in the
region. He has consistently affirmed himself as a true despot and
insecure leader, who feeds on the plight of the poor and oppressed
people of Swaziland.

We believe that the banning of the Social Forum is consistent with the
regime?s historical record of silencing workers and the poor people of
Swaziland, which has been the case since 1973 when king Sobhuza II
banned political parties and criminalised all political activities,
thus monopolising all political power and access to public
decision-making as the exclusive preserve of the royal family.

The Social Forum is a regional version of the World Social Forum, the
world?s biggest space for progressive organisations and peoples of the
world to reflect on the challenges facing humanity and the share
experiences, so as to develop a concrete wayforward.

It is a people?s parliament, where regional activists from all over
Southern Africa gather to plan joint action and develop common
platforms. It has been ruthlessly closed down by a desperate monarchy,
which fears every single challenge and space for engagement. He rules
by fear and not popularity, he rules by the gun and not legitimacy and
support.

We call on SADC to immediately reconsider the position granted to
someone who is so undeserving of such an important position, for he
has chosen to bash the people he is supposed to protect, that is the
Southern African people.

We want to send a clear message to the world and in particular to
regional leaders, that Mswati?s brutal example must not be emulated
anywhere. He must be an example of how despots face their own music.
It is clear that despots learn from each other and encourage each
other, therefore, we must tighten the belts of action. In this sense,
we are encouraged and inspired by the resilience and courage of the
co-ordinators and Swazi civil society in general, who have pledged to
proceed and defy the banning. We offer our solidarity and assure
everyone that indeed, SIYAYA ESwaziland. We encourage all and everyone
to prepare him/herself to go to Swaziland, even those who had
originally not been going. This is the time to demonstrate that our
region is not a home for despots.

In this regard, COSATU is meeting Swazi unions as part of a long
standing plan for the Boycott campaign against goods destined to
Swaziland, scheduled for the 27th October to 01 November, in which a
joint task team comprised of all unions in the critical sectors are
meeting to work out details and finalise preparations. These comrades
indeed joined the picket.

We demand the unconditional withdrawal of the ban and for the monarchy
to meet all the demands of the Swazi people for democracy and the
unbanning of political parties.


__________________________________

5. Emanuel Ndlangamandla: Southern African Social Forum in Swaziland
still on. 14 October, 2008.

Dear Colleagues and Partners,

THE SOUTHERN AFRICA SOCIAL FORUM, 2008 TO BE HELD IN MANZINI,
SWAZILAND ON THE 16-18 OCTOBER 2008

The Swaziland Economic Justice Network (SEJN) has learnt with deep
sadness the attempts by the Swaziland Government to ban the taking
place of the Southern Africa Social Forum which is meant to take place
in Manzini, Swaziland on the 16-18th October, 2008.

The organisers would like to take this opportunity to reassure ALL
colleagues and partners in the struggle that intended to attend the
forum that it is going on as planned. The organisers have secured an
alternative venue for the forum at the Salesian Sports Arena, close to
the Manzini City Centre.

We are looking forward to welcoming you ALL to the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Yours Sincerely,
Emanuel Ndlangamandla
Executive Director

_________________________

6. Acting Prime Minister flexes his muscles: Banning of Southern
Africa Social Forum. Arthur Mordaunt, Times of Swaziland, October 14, 2008

MBABANE Government has banned the planned Southern African Social
Forum slated for this week. The meeting is scheduled for October
16-18, 2008.

In a statement from the office of the acting head of government, Bheki
Dlamini, government says it would not allow the meeting and should
attempts be made to continue with it, the law will take its course.

Government claimed to have heard about the meeting from reliable sources.

Security

"From the information available it is the view of the Swaziland
Government that the hosting of the meeting in the country will not be
in the national interest, and will compromise peace, security and
stability of the kingdom of Swaziland. Consequently, the meting cannot
be held in the kingdom. Government wishes to state that in the
unlikely event that the meeting goes ahead despite her position on
this matter, the government will be compelled to apply the law to its
fullest extent," government said.

Government stated that it would work with and support local and
international organisations whose objectives are in line with
country aspirations and priorities.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss socio-economic issues affecting
the country. Regional and international guests were expected at the
meeting. It was being organised by organisations that included the
Coordinating Assembly for Non- Governmental Organisations (CANGO), the
Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the two labour
federations, the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) and the
Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL).

This is not the first time government has banned a function. A few
months ago, a march by women groups to protest ritual murders was
banned. Recently, the police banned a memorial service for political
activist Craig ?Jack? Govender.

...SFTU shocked, COSATU to consult

The organisations behind the meeting have reacted with shock to
government?s ban of the meeting.

Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) Secretary General Jan
Sithole said this was shocking, particularly because Swaziland chairs
the SADC organ on peace and security, which promotes such issues of
good governance.

He said government?s actions only demonstrated its unwillingness to
conform to democratic principles as espoused in the bill of rights.

While admitting his shock, CANGO Director Emmanuel Ndlangamandla said
he could not comment until he hears government?s reasons for banning
the meeting.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) International
Spokesperson Bongani Masuku said they were yet to consult on
governments latest action.

COSATU was one of the international organisations that supported the meeting.

_____________________________

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