Repression Stepped Up Again in Swaziland: Democratic Movement Unstoppable! 06 September 2013 SDC Statement The Global Week of Action on Swaziland has now become a fixed part of the International Solidarity agenda. In many parts of the world, including the UK, Canada and throughout Africa, comrades are gathering outside Swaziland Consuls and official buildings to protest the need for a genuine democracy in Swaziland, as opposed to the phoney exercise that King Mswati wants the world to believe are a step towards a multi-party democratic state. Even the most humble of political observers will know that a democratic election requires the free movement of people, including the release of those in prison for challenging undemocratic rule, the right of parties to exist, an open voters roll, and transparent procedures unhindered by gross political and financial patronage. None of these simple conditions exist in Swaziland today. The elite gathered around the King are nothing more than self-serving sycophants bent on doing their masters bidding, and his repressive dirty work. To underline the absence of democratic intent, yesterday (05 September 2013) a most respected trade union leaders in Southern Africa, Comrade Vincent Ncongwane, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) was again arrested at his office and roughly bundled away by a snatch squad of the notoriously violent Serious Crimes Unit. He is currently being held in detention and is likely to face charges and be under house arrest for the foreseeable future. Comrade Vincent’s only crime has been to be the elected the head of TUCOSWA, and for the organisation to lend its weight to the struggle for a democratic and peaceful Swaziland. No doubt the authorities will do all they can to disrupt the actions, which are taking place for the remainder of the week, including the banning of an international enquiry of eminent persons, a peoples summit, and a number of religious and cultural events. Today, the Swazi Police is now holding the Chair of the Global Inquiry, Jay Naidoo and Co-Panelists from proceeding with the Inquiry in Manzini. A contingent of Swazi police and para-military led by Manzini Regional Police Commander entered the Hotel room where the inquiry is being held and demanded that the Chair of the Inquiry, Jay Naidoo and the whole Panel stop and pack all their belongings and leave Swaziland. It is expected that they shall be deported anytime sooner. The inquiry is an initiative of the ITUC, TUCOSWA and COSATU to hear workers’ accounts of their experiences and sufferings in order compile a report to be taken to the ILO for the Committee on the Application of International Standards. As the Global week of action for democracy in Swaziland surge forward with activities inside the country and all over the world, the Swazi security forces have been forced to resort to their desperate acts of brutality. The Panelists of the Global Inquiry organised by TUCOSWA, ITUC and COSATU arrested today are; Jay Naidoo, former General Secretary of COSATU and former Minister under Mandela Presidency, Bishop Paul Verryn of the Methodist Church and South African Council of Churches and anti-apartheid activist, Alec Muchadehama, Human Rights lawyer and activist from Zimbabwe, Ms Nomthetho Simelane, former lecturer of Political Science at the University of Swaziland, together with COSATU delegate Monk Molapeni. This is the real face of Swaziland today, and the leadership of the rest of the Continent must ask themselves if they can remain silent when an African State continues to abuse its citizens in this manner, and when resources that are supposed to care for its people are routinely and corruptly stolen by the elite to maintain their ostentatious lifestyles, and to arm a repressive state to act against ordinary people. In the face of repeated warnings and admonishments by the ILO and many other respected international organisations, King Mswati continues to flout even the most basic of democratic reforms. His refusal to even recognise the legitimate trade union organisation TUCOSWA when the rest of the world does is a case in point. As we have seen before and we shall see again, the Ruling Swazi elite cannot stop the democratic will of the people from expressing itself. It is unable, despite beatings, bannings and even claims to be acting under divide guidance, to suppress the democratic spirit of the brave and honourable people of Swaziland. Coalitions are being built and strengthened, workers, students, informal sector workers and congregations of church goers are coming together under the banner of the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and its campaigning wing the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) to continue to push forward for genuine democratic measures, and to reject the manipulative, power hungry, exclusive pretence that King Mswati is attempting to enforce upon the people of Swaziland. To all of those who are part of this great noble struggle we repeat that you are not alone. The campaign will continue even in the face of repression, and friends from all over the world will continue to help expose the myths perpetuated by the Royal Elite. The days are numbered for Africa last monarchistic dictatorship. As we have seen in many other parts of the world, the democratic will of the people is irrepressible, and will one day deliver to the people of Swaziland, a democracy where rule by dictator will be a relic of an inglorious past. The SDC South Africa chapter supports the demands of the Swazi people for: • The unconditional release of all those arrested and other political prisoners in the country. • The unbanning of TUCOSWA and the right to free association, organisation and expression in Swaziland • A Multiparty democratic elections and rejection of the tinkhundla royal selections • An End to the cancerous corruption of the royal family government • The Unbanning of political parties and unconditional return of all exiles Free Swaziland Now! For more information please contact: Bishop Paul Verryn, 082 600 8892, paulveryn@gmail Stephen Faulkner, 082 817 5455, [email protected] Philani Ndebele, 076 942 3565, [email protected]
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 09:42:23 +0000
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