Sept10 Sd2006

An Old Wives' Tale
Utsiteni, Make?

In former days, when royalty wanted to find a hangman in Swaziland a caring mother chose drastic action. If she wanted to protect her son from becoming a henchman, she would dip her son's right hand into very hot porridge and slightly burn her own child so that when the scouts came looking her son would be using his left-hand. These wise mothers knew the superstitious would never choose a left-handed boy for the task. Perhaps the mother of Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla never heard this tale.

Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla is one of "Mswati's elite", answerable only to the king and infamous for his brutality. It is this man whose name continues to surface when talking of torture and abuse in Swaziland. Unlike the hangman, whose role was to cause the death of a person convicted by law, Ndlangamandla selects the innocent. He targets those who speak out against the status quo, those who believe in democracy and those who are brave enough to challenge the corrupt system in Swaziland.

Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla

This week as the king was ogling the bare-chested teenagers, PUDEMO member Sicelo Vilane won a clear victory in court. This case was once again pointing to the notorious Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla.

Sept 7 Cops ordered to stop harassing activist

On Thursday Sept 7 students from the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) went to the capital, Mbabane, to deliver a petition concerning tuition fees and scholarships. Last year, on the exact date, students had also marched to the Ministry of Education where they were greeted with water cannons and tear gas. This year they again witnessed the repression of the state.

University Students March Sept 7, 2006

Unfortunately, the Commonwealth believes Swaziland is a "unique democracy". Director of Foreign Affairs, Mr M Neuhaus, wrote a letter to a Canadian politician stating political parties are allowed in Mswati's kingdom and freedom of assembly is permitted. Please continue writing e-mail to his office pointing to the facts.


Mr Matthew Neuhaus
Director of Political Affairs
m.neuhaus@commonwealth.int

Copy to:

Mr Don McKinnon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General
info@commonwealth.int

Ms Rabab Fatima
Adviser & Head of Human Rights Unit
r.fatima@commonwealth.int