Only democracy can save Swaziland public sector

Trade unionists attending a workshop as part of a CUPE/South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) project joined with others in Johannesburg on November 18 in a picket to support the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC).

The day before, those marching inside Swaziland to protest the Tinkhundla regime and the economic crisis it has created were attacked by police. The country’s reigning monarch, King Mswati III, has grown rich in a country where 25 per cent of the population has HIV/AIDS – the highest rate in the world, according to the Peoples United Democratic Movement of Swaziland (PUDEMO). He reportedly owns 40 per cent of Swazi mines and more than half of the sugar companies that produce syrup for Coca-Cola in Southern Africa.

Despite that wealth, revenues to the country have declined to the point where the regime has asked for loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and commercial banks, which have all refused. The IMF cited gross mismanagement and disproportionate spending, stating that the average person survives on eight rand per day while each of the 612 members of the royal family lives on about 33,000 rand per day.

The government’s response to the economic crisis has been to threaten the layoff of about 10,000 public sector workers – one-third of the country’s public service – leading to a significant loss of services and loss of income for about 40,000 people supported by those workers.

SAMWU members and other picketers presented a list of demands to the Swazi consul in South Africa, including an end to political repression, solutions to the economic crisis that do not take away jobs and services, and a movement toward democratic government.

• Watch the video: Swaziland Democracy Campaign

FROM
http://cupe.ca/global-justice/democracy-save-swaziland-public-sector

CUPE calls for constitutional and democratic order in Swaziland

Sep 6, 2010 10:21 AM

The following is a letter written by Paul Moist, CUPE national president, to Barnabas Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland, demanding a return to constitutional and democratic order, as well as an end to violations and abuses of human and workers’ rights.

September 6, 2010

Dear Prime Minister,

On the occasion of Swaziland’s National Day, a day that should normally be one of celebration for all the people of Swaziland, I write to you on behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees to express our deep concern about the continuing suppression of democracy and freedom of expression in your country.

Swaziland is a signatory to the African Union’s Charter on Human and People’s Right, International Labour Organisation Conventions, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines on Democratic Elections, as well as signatory to other bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for the promotion of democracy and human rights. However, what we currently witness in Swaziland is a culture of gross infringement, violations and abuses of the human and workers’ rights it has pledged to respect, protect and promote.

This letter is therefore sent with serious concerns about the prevailing democratic situation in Swaziland that has seen a constitutional reform process shutting out progressive voices and interests groups, and criminalizing dissent. We wish to point out that the 2003 constitutional reform process, undertaken under the state of emergency, has closed out trade unions and progressive civil society groups and has further consolidated powers in the Monarchy, thereby eliminating effective checks and balances for good governance.

We note that since 1973 Swaziland has been placed under a state of emergency, which has banned all political parties and ended the right of workers and citizens to assemble freely save with prior police authorization, which is seldom granted. Further, we note with serious concern the existence of legislation permitting 60 days detention without trial; legislation which has been serially abused by security agents to hound people holding contrary views into jail.

Today, all over the world, persons of good conscience and friends of Swaziland, including trade unions, Church organizations, women’s organizations, students’ and youth organizations, civil society organizations, political movements, rural communities and cultural organizations, are staging international protest actions as a mark of solidarity with the struggle of the people of Swaziland, and to make the following demands:

• The abrogation of the over 37 year old Public State Emergency and the removal of all laws that prohibit political assembly
• A quick return to multi-party democracy and a democratic popular participatory constitutional reform process through a convocation of a democratically elected National Constitutional Assembly
• The true promotion and realization of a fairer distribution of national wealth through pro-poor and pro-people policies, programmes and public expenditures
• Full respect for and implementation of ILO Conventions, to be done in full consultation and participation of trade union organizations
• An independent and free media and judiciary, as well as the unconditional release of all political prisoners and return of all political exiles

These demands represent the irreducible minimum of the various demands pursued by the workers and people of Swaziland. We add that we will continue this campaign until change comes to Swaziland and its people.

Yours truly,

Paul Moist, CUPE National President

From

http://cupe.ca/global-justice/calls-constitutional-democratic

Associated Press reporters turned back at border on eve of Swazi pro-democracy protests

Organizers arrested on eve of Swazi pro-democracy protests;
AP reporters turned back at border

By The Associated Press

MBABANE, Swaziland — Police say they detained democracy activists on the eve of protests in Swaziland, sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy.

Police spokeswoman Wendy Hleta said authorities wanted to question non-Swazis at a meeting about the protests because "we felt that they had no right to interfere."

They detained Swazis before determining who was non-Swazi. Hleta says all were later released.

Sisonke Msimang of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa says two members of the group were among some 50 detained. Msimang says Swazi authorities are "more and more repressive."

Two Associated Press journalists from South Africa were stopped at the border Monday and told they would not be allowed into Swaziland to cover illegal protests.

What Independence? Sept 6, 2010

Today the police arrested organisers at a preparatory meeting for tomorrow’s protest action.

Over 40 were detained including:

1. Musa Hlophe – Swaziland Coalition of the Concerned Civic Society.

2. Muzi Masuku – OSISA Country Manager

3. Vincent Ncongwane _ Secretary General of Swaziland Federation of Labour

4. Sikelela Dlamini - Swaziland Democracy Campeign

5. Phumelela Dlamini – Swaziland Democracy Campaign

6. Mary da Silva – Swazxiland Democracy Campaign

7. Mpandlana Shongwe – Swaziland Democracy Campaign

8. Wandile Dludlu – SWAYOCO President.

9. Zanele - Deputy Secretary International Affairs COSATU

10. George Mahlangu – COSATU

11. NUMSA National President

12. Ntokozo Mbele – SDC South Africa Chapter

13. Steve - SDC South Africa and International Relations Officer Municipal Workers Union.

14. Sikhumbuzo Phakathi – CCEPPWU/Deputy President of PUDEMO

15. Muzi Mhlanga – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Teachers.

16. Sibusiso Lushaba – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Nurses

To follow this week of Global Action for Democracy in Swaziland see http://pudemonews.blogspot.com/

Amnesty International Urgent Appeal

Amnesty International USA has made an "Urgent Appeal" concerning the "current wave of repression" in Swaziland.

They are asking the general public to write to Swaziland's PM, Police Commissioner and copy to the Swazi representative in the USA.

The appeal is copied below but can also be found at
www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa15510.pdf

Amnesty International's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.

UANetwork Office AIUSA 600 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC 20003
T. 202.544.0200
F. 202.675.8566
E. uan@aiusa.org amnestyusa.org/urgent/
12 July 2010


UA 155/10 Risk of torture/ Ill-treatment
SWAZILAND Political activists, human rights defenders and trade unionists

Political activists, human rights defenders and trade unionists in Swaziland are at risk of harassment, ill-treatment and arrest, as the authorities use draconian counter-terror legislation to investigate a spate of government-targeted petrol bombings.

Amnesty International has been in contact with more than a dozen activists in Swaziland who have been harassed, threatened, ill treated or detained by the Swaziland police since June 2010, under the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA). Activists have had homes and offices searched, been searched themselves at roadblocks; they have had documents and other materials seized and have been under intense surveillance. Amnesty International is not naming the activists for fear of increasing their risk.

Some of the house searches of individuals, including those accused of being members of, or sympathetic to, banned political organizations, have been conducted without search warrants and in the early morning hours by armed police. Some were denied the right to make calls during the prolonged search operations. Some were later taken to police stations for interrogation about their political activities. Testimony and other information received by Amnesty International indicate that several political activists have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment during interrogation. In one case, the victim was allegedly beaten with batons and subjected to suffocation torture. He was released without charge, but remains at risk of further ill-treatment.

Two political activists have also told Amnesty International that armed police recently came to their homes searching for them. Neither were present when the police arrived and do not know when the police may return. Both men have been unlawfully detained and allegedly tortured by the police in the past. Amnesty International is concerned that these men, and several others, may be at risk of ill-treatment again if they are arrested and interrogated by the police in the coming weeks.

High profile human rights defenders and trade unionists have also had their homes searched by armed police, usually under warrants authorizing them to search for evidence of terrorist activities.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In August 2008, the Suppression of Terrorism Act was signed into law in Swaziland. The implementation of the law has led to arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment of detainees and the charging of political activists under provisions of law that are vague, sweeping and
fail to meet international standards. The law has had an intimidating and silencing effect on political activists calling for democratic reforms and human rights defenders campaigning to address the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In November 2008, the government declared four political organizations, including the longstanding political organizations People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) to be terrorist “entities” under the provisions of the law.

Many of the circumstances regarding the recent spate of petrol bombings remain unclear. However, it appears that they have been largely targeted against government institutions. There are no reports of loss of life or injury but some damage to property has been caused. In June, two men were arrested and charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act in connection with the incidents.

Among those directly affected by the current wave of repression are officials and members of trade unions, human rights defenders working with non-governmental organizations, leaders of new political coalitions including the Swaziland United Democratic Front and Swaziland Democracy Campaign, and members or suspected members of PUDEMO and SWAYOCO. Amnesty International has confirmed information on incidents involving more than a dozen individuals but many other incidents have been reported on which it is seeking confirmation. Some of the political activists have gone into hiding out of fear of detention and ill-treatment.

In late 2005 –early 2006, following a similar spate of petrol bombing in Swaziland, 16 individuals were arrested and charged with treason and other offenses. They were released on bail in March 2006 and have yet to be brought to trial. Allegations of suffocation torture, beatings and other ill-treatment emerged at magistrates court hearings. The High Court, when granting bail, ordered the government to investigate these allegations. While the Prime Minister established a commission of inquiry in October 2006, the results have never been made public.

The searches and interrogations of high profile human rights defenders and trade unionists appear deliberately intended to intimidate and undermine their lawful organizing and advocacy work and are evidence of the indiscriminate use and effect of the STA.



RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
■ Appeal to the government to ensure that official investigations into the recent spate of bombings in Swaziland are conducted in
full compliance with the country’s obligations under international human rights law and in particular regarding the absolute
prohibition against torture;
■ Express your concern that police, during investigations into the bombing incidents, have undertaken prolonged searches at the
homes of a large number of alleged members of political organizations and some civil society activists, sometimes without
warrants and followed by interrogations involving alleged threats, ill-treatment and torture in several cases at police stations;
■ Note that while all governments have a clear duty to protect their population from deliberate violent attack, all governments,
including Swaziland’s, must adhere to their obligations under international human rights law in responding to incidents or threats
of violent attacks.

APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister
Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
P.O. Box 395,
Mbabane,
SWAZILAND
Fax: 011 268 404 3943
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

Commissioner of Police
Mr. Isaac Magagula
The Royal Swaziland Police Service,
P.O. Box 49,
Mbabane H100
SWAZILAND
Fax: 011 268 404 4545
Salutation: Dear Commissioner

COPIES TO:
Ambassador Ephraim Mandlenkosi M Hlophe
Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland
1712 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington DC 20009
Phone: 202 234 5002
Fax: 1 202 234 8254
Email: info@swazilandembassyus.com

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 31 July 2010.

Sample letter to Canadian High Comissioner

Adèle Dion
High Commissioner

As the world focuses on football in South Africa, the neighboring Kingdom of Swaziland appears to be moving to a state of civil war!

Recently political activist Sipho Jele was killed in prison in early May - government has still not provided the autopsy report. Political activist Alex Langwenya's home was bombed this past week and last week many political activists were being rounded up.

Now activist Zonke Dlamini has been arrested, taken to Court on Sunday June 13 and sent to the Sidvwashini Correctional - "Sipho Jele who was also...accepted at the Sidvwashini Correctional on Sunday [May 2] and was later reported to have died after allegedly hanging himself" by using a blanket in a wash room where there are no rafters. These type of "suicides" were common during the apartheid era and still occur in the absolute monarchy of Swaziland.

We fear for Zonke's life!

And therefore request that you immediately contact your Swazi counterpart to convey our concern about Zonke's unusual imprisonment. If he should happen to "commit suicide" the country, I fear, will explode as workers, students, unions and ordinary citizens have been pushed to a very dangerous precipice.

Canada and the Commonwealth are overlooking this catastrophe but it will not be enough to report the deaths after the fact.


Sincerely,
Edna Hepry
Saint John, NB, Canada



The following is from the Times of Swaziland: http://www.times.co.sz/?month=6&day=14&year=2010


SWAYOCO member arrested
By MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE on June 14,2010

MBABANE- A member of the proscribed Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) has been arrested in connection with the bombing of houses belonging to Police PRO Vusi Masuku and Mtsambama MP Bheki Mkhonta.

Zonke Thokozani Tradewell Dlamini, 37, of Ekwendzeni under Chief Makhosikhosi yesterday appeared before High Court Judge Nkululeko Hlophe who remanded him back to custody until Friday.

He was arrested on Friday by Nhlangano police in conjunction with officers from Lukhozi Serious Crimes Unit.

The matter which was heard in the morning yesterday was attended by a contingent of police officers and the public gallery was empty. The accused had to spend more than an hour in a police vehicle while waiting for the arrival of the judge.

Dlamini was handcuffed when he arrived at the High Court and was escorted by plain-clothed police officers.

The handcuffs were removed when he was about to enter the courtroom where the case was heard.

When he arrived at the High Court, he was driven in a kombi with private registration numbers, but was later put into a white police van where he spent more than an hour before being taken to court.

The accused has since been slapped with two counts of contravening the Terrorism Act No: 3 of 2008.

When his right of legal representation was explained to him Dlamini first told the court that he would conduct his own defence, but after the charge sheet was read to him changed his mind saying what was written was too technical. "My lord, for today, I will conduct my own defence, but I will seek the services of an attorney during the commencement of the trial as what has been read to me is too technical to understand," he said. Appearing for the crown in this matter was Phumlani Dlamini. Interpreting was Registrar of the High Court Mpendulo Simelane.

Our member denied right of legal representation - Wandile

MBABANE - President of the proscribed Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) Wandile Dludlu alleges that their member was denied his right of legal representation by the police.
He said ever since his arrest on Friday, Zonke Tradewell Dlamini was interrogated by the police and they further refused their attorney to see him. He said the police when asked further denied that the accused person had been arrested while knowing very well that he was in custody.
"We cannot disown him now as we believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Our members were not even aware that he was due to appear before court today (Sunday). Dlamini has been deprived his constitutional right of legal representation by the police and we believe this is uncalled for," he said.
Dludlu said they were not supporting the recent bombings but believed that a person was presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Deputy Police PRO Assistant Superintendent Wendy Hleta said in their Nhlangano records, they did not have anyone by the name of the suspect.
"I would presume these people went to the wrong station," she said.


Suspect cannot move bail application

MBABANE- The suspect in the two bombing incidents in the Shiselweni region was yesterday told that he could not move a bail application.

The judge told him that it would be impossible for him to move a bail application today (Sunday), as bail applications at the High Court are presented in writing. He said after the application has been written, the prosecution is then given time to go through it and the court then looks at the merits and demerits of that application.


Prison authorities refusing to accept suspects - prosecutor
MBABANE – Correctional Services authorities are said to be refusing to accept suspects on Sundays.
This was disclosed by Prosecutor Phumlani Dlamini who was appearing for the state in the matter of Zonke Tradewell Dlamini who is alleged to have petrol bombed two houses in the Shiselweni region.
Dlamini told Justice Nkululeko Hlophe who was presiding over the matter that prison authorities were refusing to accept suspects who are brought in this manner, especially on Sundays.
"I apply that this court issues an order directing the Commissioner of Correctional Services to allow the accused person to be kept at Sidvwashini Correctional facility pending his committal," he said.
Judge Hlophe then issued an Order to the effect that the commissioner should accept or take into custody at the correctional facility the accused person who is on remand pending his committal.
The late Sipho Jele who was also a member of the proscribed entity was accepted at the Sidvwashini Correctional on Sunday and was later reported to have died after allegedly hanging himself.

Murdered for wearing a t-shirt!

On May 1 Sipho Jele wore a People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) t-shirt to the workers' gathering in Manzini, Swaziland and he was arrested for doing so.

Two days later, police went to Sipho's home to notify his family that he had "committed suicide"!

In other words, wearing a t-shirt of a banned organisation means "suicide" in Swaziland; this tactic was commonly used by the apartheid government during the liberation struggle in South Africa.

The police then tried to rush the family to have a funeral so that an autopsy would not be performed but the family withstood the pressure. Next they were threatened that Sipho could not be buried in the country since he was a political activist!

A court order was sought and it was settled that the burial could go ahead but on Sunday May 16th between 400 - 500 police officers showed up at to the funeral and disrupted the proceedings.

One week later, the body or Sipho was eventually laid to rest.

We do not have a Swazi representative in Canada but should not remain silent.

Below is a link to the website of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) based in London - it has an email letter which is forwarded to the Swazi High Commissioner of the UK.

Thanks for adding your voice.

See
Email the Swaziland High Commission
or

http://www.actsa.org/page-1223-Swaziland.html

For more detailed information on this recent tragedy see:
Sipho Jele