Swaziland@Newsletter 83

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_______________________________________

1. Mario Masuku, Pressident of PUDEMO: SWAZILAND IN THE CONJUNCTURE,
AND THE WAY FORWARD, November 7 2008.

2. SWAZI `TIMES' AGAINST DETENTION. From Swazi media Commentary 10
November 2008 www.swazimedia.blogspot.com

3. SWAZI SOLDIERS ATTACK CIVILIANS. From Swazi Media Commentary 10
November 2008 www.swazimedia.blogspot.com

4. PUDEMO leadership Arrested by the Royal Swaziland Police [RSP] at
march. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) 7 November 2008.

5. Commonwealth Expert Team Issues Final Report On 2008 Elections
29 October 2008
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1. SWAZILAND IN THE CONJUNCTURE, AND THE WAY FORWARD

I have read with interest the comments made by the respectable Chief
Logcogco Mangaliso on the politics in our country, and wish to make
the following observations.

The Appointments of Committees.

The Swaziland political landscape and governance never ceases to amaze
one, though this is always predictable given the ultimate goal by
those in power which is to entrench and hegemonies the system's feudal
monopolistic ideology and thus enjoy absolute control of both economic
and political power. After the national elections or 'selections' in
September a host of royal committees was set up whose character
reflects nothing but members of the royal family, chiefs and a
sprinkle of the monarchy's praise singers and long time benefactors
and traditional die-hards.

These autocratic autocratic appointments give rise to contradictions
and internal conflicts, silent protests and now apparent political
competing allegiance towards either their majesties down the hill,
themselves contesting for the control of the governing executive power
up at Hospital Hill. It is an open secret that even within the
cabinet itself, differing orders come from any of these two centers of
power down the highway.

The absence of the long awaited Codified Swazi Law and Custom
entrusted to the Chief Mangaliso, which would otherwise give
succinctly clear points of convergence with the common Law is the main
cause of the above conflicts in the state powers, and therefore, the
lieutenants.

The composition of these committees indicates glaring promotions or
rewards and demotions to various individuals from whatever angle or
perspective one analyses it. What with some former cabinet ministers
now ordinary committee members, chiefs now committees members or in
the legislature and some individuals completely dumped and forgotten.

These are therefore ingredients to internal conflicts, backbiting and
the 'up-an-down-the-ladder' ascension and descent ion in the crew.
Due to the power that they wield, these committees have brought to
their knees even the best of executive arms, and in the process, the
whole country. We learnt quite a lot from these committes'
interference in the erstwhile judiciary and the rule of law especially
on the Zena Mahlangu case; the Swaziland Railways case and indeed, the
'Mafutseni Committee' matter.

The Constitution.
A lot has been said about the Constitution and its making process,
suffice it to say that today PUDEMO's 16year old vision has now been
proved strategically and tactically valid. The latest report by the
Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) on the Swaziland 2008 national
elections states that 'We cannot therefore conclude that the entire
process was credible'. They also recommend:-

'That while cognizant of the respect due to the institution of the
Monarchy, which itself should be safeguarded and accommodated, the
Constitution be revised. This should be carried out through a process
of full consultation with Swazi political organizations and civil
society (possibly with the support of constitutional experts), to
harmonize those provisions which are in conflict. The aim is to
ensure that Swaziland's commitment to pluralism is unequivocal'.

Well said. In PUDEMO's document 'The Way Forward To a Constituent
Assembly Through a Negotiated Settlement' we call for a National Forum
or Convention comprising the monarchical structures, the traditional,
religious, business, the youth, studentry, labour, women and all to
chart a true national supreme document for a new and democratic
Swaziland. We acknowledge that this is also (now) endorsed by the
same main architects of the current fraudulent document. But we are
prepared for this honest dialogue.

Political Parties.
The assertion by Chief Logcogco that 'people out there are ignorant..'
on political parties holds some water. We do not have to go down
memory lane to remind people as to the cause of thereof. In the early
1960s people knew and understood what political parties were and what
their role was, hence their vote in the 1967 and 1972 national
elections – and thank God, these were free and fair in spite of the
fact that one (the Imbokodvo National Movement) was the king's party.
From 1973, when the then King, then Prime Minister Makhosini, then
Attorney General D. Cohen under the advice of one South African
apartheid and Broderbund Advocate Van Wyk de Vries colluded and
treasonably abrogated the independence constitution, people were
politically starved off and grossly malnourished.

Yes, anyone born around 1960, and they are in the majority today, will
have a vague idea or experience of what party politics means and its
functions (for they were only 13 years old in 1973).

Again agreed, we all need extensive independent civic education on all
fundamental rights, protection thereof and on all socio-economic
implications. The education that was conducted from 1997, sponsored
by the UNDP and the EU was a complete fake and brain-wash where
participants were taught all negatives on party politics and group
representation. As long as our country produces citizens who are
passive and politically undernourished, one-system-fed, arrogant and
intolerant, we will either remain redundant or produce to export
intellectuals to neighboring states where the socio-political
environments are conducive to their holistic human development.

This does not, by the way, mean that there are no politically
conscious citizens who have done their best towards a total
transformation of Swaziland. No! They are many, including the Chief
himself.

That we need a referendum to decide on whether political parties are
embraced makes no logic. The rights to associate assemble and
expression are embodied within the United Nation's or Universal
Declaration on Human Rights, and warrants no debate. As in the Right
to Life, are we one day to seek a referendum to decide if we need it?
No – that would be madness. It is never debatable. We can only debate
on how we can improve on any fundamental right.

The Way Forward on these is that we must engage, talk and dialogue for
a better nation – but time is fast running against us.

To say that the constitution is a makoti and must be cholad, is again
a psychological time consuming myth implanted in the minds of our
fellow Swazi people. The reality is, how practical is it to influence
a change through the legislature and have the constitution effectively
amended? Clearly, this is near impossible.

Such routes have, historically encouraged more revolutionary methods
towards change instead of evolutionary, and in most cases the former
has triumphed. We cannot avoid this change, and all dictatorships,
imperialists who have tried resistance have all fallen and are today
lying in dustbins of history.

Issued by PUDEMO Pressident
Mario Masuku

2. SWAZI `TIMES' AGAINST DETENTION
Swaziland's only independent daily newspaper has come out strongly
against a move to reintroduce detention without trial in Swaziland.

As I reported yesterday, the Liqoqo committee, which advises King
Mswati III, is considering reviving an order that would allow people
to be detained for up to 60 days by police without trial.

The Times of Swaziland in an editorial comment published today (10
November 2008) says the news should be shocking but in light of the
recent declaration of war against his subjects made by King Mswati
III, it is not. The king had publicly told Dlamini to fight the
terrorists and all who support them.

As readers of this blog will know, the king last month illegally
appointed Barnabas Dlamini as Swaziland's Prime Minister. When he was
previously Prime Minister from 1996 to 2003, Dlamini introduced the 60
Day Detention Order. He also unleashed a reign of terror against the
Swazi people and had complete disregard for the rule of law.

The Times says, `Only a ruling party desperate to cling onto power'
would think detention without trial was a way to fight terrorism.

`Slowly this country is degenerating into a military state and we
should not and cannot allow `that to happen.

`Using Saddam Hussein strategies of holding onto power would only
yield the result that saw the former Iraq leader toppled
unceremoniously by external forces.

`Liqoqo should, therefore, not begin to enforce dictatorship when the
world seeks to destroy it.

`Every citizen has a right to a fair hearing and this right is
protected by the country's constitution; not that this country's
constitution is followed to the letter.

`We are all concerned about terrorism and it deserves to be condemned
in the strongest possible terms, but whatever measures are put in
place, they should not be haphazard and unlawful.

`The king should dismiss the Liqoqo proposal if they eventually decide
to submit it to him for approval.

`May we also use this opportunity to request Liqoqo to think away from
reviving the 1973 Decree as Option B.

`The simple and most effective anti-terrorism action is good
governance, where the equal distribution of the country's wealth,
political transparency and accountability to the people, dialogue and
power sharing are an important ingredient.

`Only then can we realise peace and prosperity. Any other way will
simply render us a "banana republic"'.

3. SWAZI SOLDIERS ATTACK CIVILIANS
Swazi soldiers have taken it upon themselves to become guardians of
law and order in Swaziland.
They have been trying to stamp pout prostitution in Manzini,
Swaziland's second city.

Despite the fact that soldiers are among prostitutes' best clients, a
group of armed soldiers have been harassing `working girls' on the
streets.

In one case six sex workers were rounded up and physically and
sexually abused by soldiers. One of their male clients was forced to
perform a degrading sex act for the amusement of the soldiers.

An official army spokesman refused to comment on whether the action of
the soldiers was a legitimate use of the military.

The Times Sunday reported yesterday (9 November 2008) that three
prostitutes had gone to a regular spot on the Manzini streets
excepting trade one night when an army car parked near them.

One of the women takes up the story, `Some of the girls we found there
took off when the car pulled up. One soldier ordered all three of us
to jump into the back of the car. He emphasised that we should bring
condoms.'

The Times Sunday reported, `The three ladies were under the impression
that the soldiers were just being aggressive, which is a
characteristic of their job. They actually thought they would be taken
to a private spot or their (soldiers) quarters to carry out business.

`However, that was not to be so.'

The soldiers drove the women to a popular pub where they demanded that
they identify other commercial sex workers, which they did. The
soldiers then drove six of the prostitutes to Trelawny Park. Along the
way they picked up one of their regular male clients.

At the park the soldiers ordered them all out of the car where they
kicked and abused the women. The soldiers said the women were `paying
for selling our bodies to willing customers'.

The women were then ordered to lower their pants and demonstrate to
the soldiers how they entertain men. The man was forced to dig a hole
and the soldiers `ordered him to insert his manhood, and pretend he
was with a woman'.

The soldiers then beat the women with sticks and shrubs.

When questioned by the Times Sunday, Army spokesman Major Dumsani
Masuku said `he did not have enough time to consult'.

However, the newspaper reported, some soldiers have been deployed to
public facilities that in Swaziland that are considered susceptible to
terrorist attacks. Masuku was non-committal with regards to their role
in other crimes such as prostitution, and the appropriate course of
action in the event they come across other forms of crime.

It is hard to see what the Army spokesperson's problem is here.
Clearly, it is not the job of the Army to `police' the streets of
Swaziland. The soldiers were acting illegally and should themselves be
subjected to the law. We could start with charging them with abduction
and sexual assault.

Meanwhile, we need a clear statement from Swaziland's Prime Minister
Barnabas Dlamini that the Army has no place in policing Swaziland. The
Army's job is to protect Swaziland against external enemies. Soldiers
should not be unleashed on the general public to `clean up the streets'.

I doubt that such a statement will be forthcoming from Dlamini. He is
himself an illegally-appointed Prime Minister and the last time he was
in office from 1996 to 2003, he unleashed a reign of terror against
the Swazi people and showed a complete disregard for the rule of law
in Swaziland.

4. PUDEMO leadership Arrested by the Royal Swaziland Police [RSP] at
march.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) would like to inform the world
of the arrest of PUDEMO and SWAYOCO leadership and other comrades at
the Mbabane old bush rank while preparing to embark on a march to the
Prime Minister's office to deliver a petition. They are currently
detained in police vans and have been held there for more than two
hours at the time of releasing this statement. The arrested leaders
include President of The People's United Democratic Movement [PUDEMO]
comrade. Mario Masuku, SWAYOCO Secretary General comrade Thabile Zwane
and SWAYOCO Organising Secretary comrade Themba Mabuza.
The march to the Prime Minister's office was to deliver a petition
which carried these demands;

1. The bringing into trial of the 15 PUDEMO and SWAYOCO members
charged with Treason for alleged the 2005 bombing of government
building failure to which drop the charges. These comrades have been
out on stringent bail conditions since their release in March 2006. "
Justice delayed is justice denied".

2. The releasing to the public of the Commission of Inquiry
Report ordered by the then Chief Justice Jacobus Annandale on 10th
March 2006 into the torture and assault of the PUDEMO and SWAYOCO
comrades during their interrogation and while in detention in 2005/6
on the said Treason charges.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network supports the demands contained in
this Petition and calls for their addressing with immediate effect.
Furthermore the Swaziland Solidarity Network, demands that;

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Chairperson South African President HE Kgalema Motlanthe to removes
King Mswati 111 from the position of Chairman of the organ Troika with
immediate effect and push for the democratisation process in Swaziland.

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of
States Extra-ordinary meeting to be held on the 9th November 2008 in
South Africa to put on the Swaziland question on its agenda.

• The Southern African Development Community (SADAC) to adopt
the report of the Commonwealth Expert Team dated 24th September, 2008
on the recently held Swaziland National Elections.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) through its Chairperson Cde.
Solly Mapaila , has today sent a petition on the Swazi issue to His
Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa , in his
capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC). This seeks to request him to put more focus on
Swaziland.

Issued by the Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN]

5. Commonwealth Expert Team Issues Final Report On 2008 Elections
29 October 2008

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today released the
Final Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team which observed the 2008
National Elections in Swaziland.
Mr Sharma said: "Despite the fact that the Team found that the
elections on polling day were reasonably well conducted, they raised
concerns about the totality of the electoral process. The Team felt
that the reasons for this lay in weaknesses in the current
constitutional, legal and electoral framework. These required reforms
through a process of consultation and dialogue.
"What is vital now is for the Government and all political and civil
society organizations in Swaziland to work together to chart a
mutually agreed path for the future development of the country, with a
view to ensuring its sustainable growth and stability, in line with
Commonwealth fundamental values. The Commonwealth stands ready to
assist in that process", the Secretary-General added.

The Report was completed and signed by all members of the Commonwealth
Expert Team, prior to their departure from Swaziland. It was presented
to the Commonwealth Secretary-General by the Team leader, Dr Paul
Ssemogerere, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda. Before being
made public, it was distributed to the Government of Swaziland, to
Swazi political and civil society organisations, to the Elections and
Boundaries Commission of Swaziland, and to all other Commonwealth
governments.

Read the Commonwealth Swaziland National Elections Report:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/184655/2008_swaziland_elections.htm