PROTESTS FOR SWAZI DEMOCRAT TRIAL

The following is a statement issued by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), one of the political parties banned in Swaziland, about the pending trail of its president Mario Masuku on a terrorism charge.

PUDEMO STATEMENT ON THE MARIO MASUKU TRIAL

Released 14 September 2009

The Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) wishes to alert the both the Swazi public and the international community on the coming trial of its President Mario T Masuku. Masuku was arrested in November 2008 less than 24 hours after the oppressive and undemocratic Swazi royal regime had ‘banned’ the organization describing it as terrorists. This is all because PUDEMO has over the years dared to challenge the regime to stop its dictatorial tendencies, human rights abuse, corruption, nepotism, harassment, lack of democracy, etc. For this, PUDEMO has been viewed by the regime as its greatest threat to its continued oppression of the poor masses of Swaziland.

On the 21 September, the trial shall commence at the High Court of Swaziland in Mbabane at 9am. The resilient members of PUDEMO from all corners of the country shall again descend on Mbabane in support of their President. They will be joined by the democracy seeking people of Swaziland under the banner of the Swaziland United Democratic Front. This is because Comrade Masuku’s detention has become a symbol of oppression for the people of Swaziland!

This will be a contest between freedom and oppression; justice and injustice. The defence team comprises fearless lawyers for human rights, who have over the years stood by and defended the oppressed people of Swaziland without fear of this brutal regime. There is Thulani Maseko (is himself out on bail on charges of sedition), Leo Gama, Mandla Mkhwanazi and Paul Shilubane. The regime has unashamedly run to South Africa, a democratic country to seek legal assistance on its fight to sustain its injustices and oppression on the people of Swaziland. Whoever shall take this offer must be condemned and discouraged, for the rewards are no different from blood money!

Meanwhile a prayer service is being planned in Swaziland for the coming weekend in preparation for the commencement of the trial. We are also encouraged by the planned protest action by COSATU for the release of Mario Masuku on 25 September. A lot of activities internationally are currently taking place where people are calling for the release of Comrade Mario and the introduction of multiparty democracy in Swaziland. The Swaziland Solidarity Network is one of such.

Comrade Mario is fine and ready for the road ahead. The family also remains strong and fully behind him for they know that this is not only about them, but the fight for the oppressed masses of Swaziland.

However, as usual, the state will be unleashing its brutal security apparatus to intimidate, harass and even assault people who will be attending the trial. But we shall remain resolute in support of our President and the fight for democracy in Swaziland.

National Head of Publicity Zakhele Mabuza

Deputy President Sikhumbuzo Phakathi

Secretary General Sphasha Dlamini

UNIONS READY TO BOYCOTT SWAZILAND

The following news report appeared in the Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper, yesterday (19 August 2009). I particularly like the response of the Swaziland government minister in the final paragraph.

SA unions to boycott goods to and from Swaziland

MBABANE – South African organisations have targeted five types of goods to and from Swaziland, which they want to boycott handling.

This is part, of that country’s organisations show of solidarity with Swazi organisations pursuing the agenda of democratising Swaziland. It is aimed at mounting pressure on the kingdom’s authorities to democratise.

Efforts have been intensified as the organisations have also decided to engage their Mozambican counterparts to join in the programme.

Targeted

The targeted goods are fuel, arms, sugar, goods destined for the royal household as well as electricity. However, the electricity issue is subject to various considerations that are still to be discussed with relevant unions.

This decision was taken last week Wednesday during a meeting convened by the Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) and its Swazi counterparts led by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) in Benoni, South Africa. Ironically, this was the same time Swaziland was having its National Smart Partnership Dialogue where the Swazi organisations that were in South Africa were expected to attend, but opted to boycott the meeting.

Campaign

"Following the request last year by the Swazi trade union movement, particularly the SFTU (Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions), calling on COSATU to campaign against the handling of goods and services destined for Swaziland, COSATU identified 10 key affiliates to drive this process and were linked closely with their Swazi union counterparts identified by the request submitted to COSATU.

"A discussion on co-ordinating solidarity in South Africa to improve cohesion between South African and Swazi comrades, in which case a Joint Swazi Action Committee was proposed. The Joint Action Committee will be able to link all activities happening outside the country with the actual momentum inside Swaziland to avoid disjuncture, parallelism and fragmentation of efforts," states a report from the meeting.

The campaign to boycott goods destined for Swaziland began last year following a decision taken by the COSATU Central Executive Committee (CEC) on September 1-3, 2008. The campaign was originally targeted at Swaziland and Zimbabwe but action against the latter country was suspended following the talks towards a peace deal there.

Sought for comment, Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister Lutfo Dlamini requested that a questionnaire be sent to his office so that he could give a comprehensive response.

Source: Times of Swaziland

JAILED SWAZI LAWYER WANTS BAIL

Thulani Maseko, Swaziland’s prominent human rights lawyer who is in jail awaiting trial for sedition is to ask for bail.

Previously, Maseko refused bail wanting to force the Swazi state to take him to trail quickly.

Now, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) has asked him to apply for bail because it believes he can do more good for the pro-democracy movement outside jail than inside.

Maseko will need to go to the Swazi High Court to apply for bail.

Meanwhile, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has called for charges against Maseko to be dropped. He is alleged to have made seditious comments at a May Day rally.

In a statement, the ICJ says arresting Maseko, ‘constitutes arbitrary detention and his prosecution constitutes an attack against his fundamental freedom of expression’.

The ICJ calls upon the state to immediately unconditionally free Maseko.

US NOT TO FUND SWAZI FREEDOM FIGHT

A deep black cloud of mystery hangs over a report that Freedom House of the United States is to give ‘unlimited’ funding to progressive groups in Swaziland to help the fight for democracy.

As I wrote yesterday (6 May 2009), the Times of Swaziland Sunday edition reported Musa Hlophe, the coordinator of the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Organisations (SCCCO), saying the money would be channelled through his NGO and would be made available to groups such as the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF).

It was a great story and, I said, it showed the Americans were truly committed to advancing democracy in Swaziland. There’s only one problem: it’s not happening. Or as SCCCO said in a media release: Quite simply untrue. Exaggerations of the grossest nature. There are no unlimited funds.

SCCCO says, ‘The facts are these: The Coalition has been working with Freedom House on capacity building of its staff and some of its members and partners. This has entailed a series of interviews and workshops in various parts of the country. The support was practical rather than financial and at no stage has funding been transferred from Freedom House to the Coalition. While we hope to continue the Partnership at present, funding has not been found to do so. We would like to place on record our gratitude for the support from Freedom House.’

It is disappointing that more isn’t being done to help, but how is it that the activities between SCCCO and Freedom House were reported in the way they were? The Times Sunday had an interview with Musa Hlophe and according to the newspaper he told them funds were on the way.

How was there such a complete breakdown in communication between SCCCO and the newspaper?

The conspiracy theorists are out in force. According to Hlophe, ‘A rumour has been started by those who object to civil society playing a positive role in the development of the country.’ He went on to say that suggestions made in the Times Sunday report that some of the funds would go to banned organisations such as the People’s United Democratic Front (PUDEMO) were ‘mischief making of the highest order’.

Other theories doing the rounds on the Internet are that the Times was pressured into printing a false story after it got in trouble with King Mswati III over his purchase of armoured cars; that the ruling regime thought it would encourage infighting over cash at the SUDF; and there are even doubts about SCCCO’s account of the incident.

I don’t think they’ve got it right. As an academic who has studied the media in Swaziland face on I know that many individuals and organisations are not very good at expressing what they mean (read Hlophe’s regular column in the Times Sunday to see what I mean). Add to this the fact that reporters often misunderstand what is being said to them. Then, because in Swaziland, there is no culture of questioning, reporters tend not to seek clarification. The result: confusion.

Not so much conspiracy then just a good old cock-up. Probably.

US FUNDS FIGHT FOR SWAZI FREEDOM

The Americans seem to be true to their word when the Swazi Ambassador said the United States would support groups that are campaigning for democracy in the kingdom.

News comes this week that ‘unlimited’ funding is to be made available to what the kingdom’s only independent newspaper, the Times of Swaziland, calls ‘progressives and members of civil society’ to assist in projects designed to ‘liberate’ the kingdom. Issues around the rule of law, gender issues and giving voice to the voiceless are thought to be priorities.

According to the Times, the organisations receiving funding will be able to mobilise support of people at grassroots level all over Swaziland.

The funding will be managed by the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisation (SCCCO) and issues around the rule of law, gender and giving a voice to the voiceless will be priorities..

The funding comes through a partnership between SCCCO and Freedom House, a donor organisation based in the US that describes itself as ‘a non-profit, nonpartisan organization [that] is a clear voice for democracy and freedom around the world’.

According to Musa Hlophe, SCCCO coordinator, the funding will be used by non-government organisations, such as the Swaziland United Democratic Front, which has members including organisations deemed to be ‘terrorist’ organisations by Barnabas Dlamini, the illegally-appointed Prime Minister of Swaziland. These are the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).

Hlophe told the Times that Freedom House was very practical and wanted people to work and not host endless fruitless meetings.

He said the organisation had pledged an unlimited amount of funds to be used in various projects for the kingdom’s struggle. He said the funding has no cap and there is an unlimited pool of funds waiting.

The move follows the announcement by Maurice Parker, the US Ambassador to Swaziland, in January 2009 that the US Embassy would support pressure groups to ensure that democracy is fulfilled in Swaziland. He said many pressure groups had trouble organising meetings, ensuring freedom of speech, or pursuing the right to assembly freely. He promised he would work with government and all pressure groups to ensure that the bottlenecks to free expression, freedom of association and full political determination are realised in Swaziland.

Swaziland is presently ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, political parties are banned, parliament has very few real powers and the king makes most of the important decisions in the kingdom.

CLARIFICATION. The SCCCO released a media statement denying that unlimited funds were to be made available by Freedom House. See US NOT TO FUND SWAZI FREEDOM FIGHT