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SDC Proclaims Successful November 17th March in Mbabane!

November 18, 2010

Press Release

The Swaziland chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) announces the highly successful march for democracy held on the 17^th of November 2010 in Mbabane.

Part of the 5 000 strong crowd descend on Mbabane bus terminus amidst pouring rain & heavy police escort!

The march was a sequel to the Global Week of Action on Swaziland (GWoAS) programme which commenced in September 2010.

The marchers gather for speeches on the edge of the Mbabane bus terminus...

We wish to heartily thank our civil society partners such the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL), Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), and others for the decisive part they played in ensuring that thousands of their members joined the march between 900hrs and 1400hrs in the streets of Swaziland’s capital despite the unrelenting rain.

Marchers make their steady way past Swazi Plaza, up Dr Sishayi Road...

We take this opportunity to also extend our gratitude first to our twin-sister the South Africa chapter of the SDC for ensuring that the world knew about the march.

SUDF Treasurer, Jabu Shiba addresses marchers on Gwamile Street...

We equally wish to salute the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), UNISON, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), CUAfrica, DAMTP (http://www.strike2012.org) in the UK, POPCRU, and others, for their continually encouraging messages of solidarity and support.

SNUS President Max Dlamini addressses the gathering as the downpour intensifies ...

We would like to assure you that your support is valued and is not in vain.

Of course these guys were there as always...

The third instalment of the GWoAS series coincides with the opening of schools in January 2010, where we plan to march for two days. We will announce the relevant details in due course.

Marchers on their way back to the Coronation Park to mark end of march...

For more information please contact:

Ms Mary Pais Da Silva (SDC Convener)

(009268) 7603 0076

Dr Sikelela Dlamini (SDC Recorder)

(009268) 7617 1151

November Protest March on Wednesday the 17th!!!

November 15, 2010

November Protest March Goes Ahead!!!

Press Release

The Swaziland chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) hereby announces as follows:

1. That the protest march takes place in Mbabane on Wednesday the 17th of November 2010, starting at 800hrs;

2. That the protest march will be preceded by an open debate on the evident collapse of the Swazi economy, on Tuesday 16th November, at the Swaziland Catholic Centre (Caritas) in Manzini, starting at 1700hrs;

3. The SDC notes the difficulty regarding international participation in this and future marches given the hostile political climate inside Swaziland and welcome whatever gesture of solidarity from our international solidarity partners;

4. We urge Swazis to join the march in their numbers given the ongoing condemnable ‘operation Murambatsvina‘-style evictions/demolitions at KaShali and Nhlangano, which are a disturbing reminder that the Tinkhundla regime knows no bounds regarding violation of basic human rights in the name of King Mswati III and;

5. That this is a march not to be missed as it also affords every suffering Swazi citizen the opportunity to express their strong protest against Tinkhundla’s unilateral Fiscal Adjustment Roadmap which will result in mass retrenchments and untold poverty levels while ensuring that the monarchy and top government officials remain unaffected.

*SEE YOU ALL IN THE STREETS OF MBABANE THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. AMANDLA!!!

For more information please contact:

Ms Mary Pais Da Silva (SDC Convener)

(009268) 7603 0076/7602 4007

Dr Sikelela Dlamini (SDC Recorder)

(009268) 7617 1151

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SDC Salutes ANCYL & COSATU for ANC NGC Stand on Swaziland!

September 25, 2010

The Swaziland Chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) fondly salutes our comrades in the ANCYL and COSATU for successfully impressing on the recently concluded ANC National General Council (NGC) that current Swaziland-South Africa bilateral relations now warrant extensive and intense discussion to inform a firm and unambiguous policy stand come 2012. The SDC – SD further salutes the ANC for allowing the debate to continue in the first place. We are of the firm view that the ANC has re-affirmed its inimitable role as the liberation movement not just for South Africa but the entire SADC region. The SDC – SD notes that the NGC resolution on Swaziland marks a significant shift not only in Swaziland-South Africa diplomacy but, even more significantly, a telling shift in the struggle for democracy within Swaziland and the sub-region. The struggle for political emancipation on our shores will no longer be the same. This, among other solidarity obligations, is what we have been crying out for for a long time. We thank you wholeheartedly, our valued comrades. Amandla!!!

For more information please contact:

Ms Mary Pais Da Silva

(009268) 7603 0076

Dr Sikelela Dlamini

(009268) 7617 1151

Global Week of Action on Swaziland (GWoAS) Highly Successful!!!

September 11, 2010

Press Release

Background

The GWoAS is a product of the historic public launch of the SDC in Johannesburg on 21 February 2010, where it was agreed that we need to have the 6^th – 13^th September 2010 declared a Global Week of Action for democracy in Swaziland and that the SDC was to be coordinator of that action. The GWoAS was a culmination of a series of build-up activities, starting on 12^th April 2010, to sensitize the general public and generate their interest.

Planned Programme

The GWoAS was to kick off with an introductory briefing meant to familiarize our invited guests with the socio-economic and political challenges that currently face the country. We did this in accordance with the following GWoAS aims:

To build national and international solidarity with all those campaigning for a democratic Swaziland;
To provide an opportunity to understand the socio-economic and political challenges that face the people of Swaziland including human and trade union rights;
To experience the real-life situations facing workers and the poor to increase an understanding of the challenges they face;
To share ideas and strategies for empowering the oppressed peoples of Swaziland towards achieving democracy and;
To lay the foundation for an on-going global solidarity movement.

The introductory briefing (September 6^th) was to take the format of panel discussions which would include the History of Struggle, the Human and Trade Union Rights Situation, Political and Economic matters. These introductory discussions were to be followed by protest marches through Manzini and Mbabane on the 7^th and 8^th September, 2010, respectively. The GWoAS would conclude with a Strategy Workshop on the Way Forward and finally a Press Briefing.

What Actually Happened

September 6^th 2010

Mphanndlana “Victim” Shongwe, executive member of the Swaziland Chapter of the SDC was just introducing his paper on the History of the Struggle when part of a convoy of uncompromising police officers (well over 40) led by Manzini Regional Commander, a Mbhamali, stormed the meeting and arrested all present (over 45 individuals)
Among those arrested and detained were Fundizwi Sikhondze (SFTU National Organiser), Steve Faulkner (SDC South Africa Convenor & SAMWU International Officer), Mary Da Silva (SDC Swaziland Convenor), Zanele Matebula (COSATU), Dr Sikelela Dlamini (SDC Swaziland Secretary), an SDC South Africa member, George Mahlangu (COSATU Deputy International Secretary), Christine Olivier (NUMSA Deputy President), COSATU National Campaigns Coordinator, Ntokozo Mbhele (SDC South Africa Secretary), Muzi Masuku (OSISA Swaziland Programme Manager), Frank Mncina (SATU General Secretary), Musa Hlophe (Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organizations Coordinator), Vincent Ncongwane (SFL/SUDF GS), and several others
The South African delegations were later driven out of the country through the Lavumisa Border
PUDEMO Deputy President, Sikhumbuzo Phakathi was detained at Hluthi Police Station and was only released in the afternoon of the 8^th, just as the second march ended in Mbabane
The forceful disruption of the meeting set the tone for the march in Manzini on the 7^th

September 7^th 2010

At 0800hrs, a delegation of eight (8) from SAMWU, which was still in the country was rounded up outside the SFTU offices and we suspect that they were deported.
Dumezweni Dlamini and Goodwill Tsabedze, the coordinator and monitoring and evaluation officer of the Foundation for Socio-Economic Justice (FSEJ) respectively were arrested and detained for the whole day. They were detained together with Morten Nielsen and his colleagues (Peter and Lone) from Afrika Kontact from Denmark. The Danes were arrested for attending the event at the Tum’s George Hotel the previous day and the guys from FSEJ were arrested for allegedly assisting them evade being taken in when everyone was arrested. The Danes were eventually driven to the airport where they caught their flight out of the country and the local guys were released later in the day after we had dispersed after the march had ended. We only learnt of the detention of these comrades at about 1500hrs on the day of the first march. Of note and worthy of the most serious condemnation is the fact that all these comrades were severely assaulted at the FSEJ offices before being taken to the police station.
Mphandlana Shongwe, SDC-SD committee member was arrested at about 0930hrs, before the march began and detained for several hours. He was later driven to his parental home which is about 120km away from Manzini.
Sox Chikohwero, the leader of the delegation from Zimbabwe was nabbed at about 1030hrs as he was walking away from the marchers near the Manzini market and after he had been seen taking pictures with his mobile phone. He was released after the march ended and we suspect that he was driven to the border and deported in the same manner as other comrades.
Mario Masuku, the President of PUDEMO, who was coming from his regular medical check-up to join the march, was stopped and arrested at about 1100hrs along Nkoseluhlaza Street. Blows were exchanged between some marchers and the police as comrades attempted to shield and protect their President.
Goodwill Sibiya, one of the comrades who attempted to protect Mario, was arrested for assaulting a police officer. He was charged and appeared in court where he was cautioned and released on the 8^th, but the police, for some reason and without our knowledge, only released him on the 9^th.
About 600 people marched through Manzini

September 8^th 2010

Way before the march started (around 7 a.m.) People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku phoned to inform us that there were plain-clothed police officers at his residence in Mbabane. He said he had not said anything to them, but we suspect that their mission was to ensure that he did not attend the march, which started just after 10 a.m. and finished at 1.30 p.m. Mario subsequently did not participate in the march through Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital city, which was attended by some 1000 marchers.
Sipho Dlamini and two other comrades from the SFTU were arrested at a roadblock at Mvutjini apparently for wearing SFTU t-shirts. They were on their way to the march. We still do not know where they are being held or what their status is. Turning marchers back was the order of the day even on the 7th.
Just as we were awaiting the arrival of the Minister for Public Service & Social Welfare to deliver our (first) petition, the police assaulted arrested, and detained Wonder Mkhonza (DGS of PUDEMO & SPRAWU – for wearing a COSATU shirt), Justice Dlamini (International Commissar of SWAYOCO – both because he’s a SWAYOCO member and for shielding Wandile), & Wandile Dludlu (President of SWAYOCO – because his organization is a proscribed entity that the police did not want to participate in the march). Wonder and Justice were released after about 30 minutes due to unrelenting pressure from the marchers. However, the police refused to release Wandile whom they drove to a police station and released him only after the march. There was a scuffle between the police and the marchers which lasted a while as marchers tried to shield the targeted comrades. Blows were exchanged and marchers were visibly shaken and some had begun to move away, while others swore vengeance.
The trade union federation leadership decided to call off the march after the police violence meted on the comrades in question and because of fear that more marchers could be assaulted or arrested, as well as to curb likely retaliation from the enraged marchers. More importantly, though, the SDC and its labour union federation partners felt that the message had been sufficiently put across regarding the basis of our protest and the need for multiparty democracy to normalize the politics of Swaziland.

Conclusion & Way Forward

We conclude that the GWoAS was a huge success in that:

it has highlighted yet again the state’s intolerance toward dissent
it has exposed for the entire world to see unprovoked state brutality on peaceful marchers
it has exposed the state’s intransigent unwillingness to listen to our genuine grievances (we could not even deliver our petitions)
it has exposed the state’s intolerance toward a free media
it has succeeded in breaking the conspiracy of global silence, except for the pitiful SADC that is irrelevant to the plight of our people in the region
it has re-established the unity of the progressive forces within Swaziland; such unity was sealed and it was proven we can once again work together to face a common problem
the case has now been firmly made for targeted smart sanctions against the Tinkhundla regime
the forthcoming ILO inspection team only has to get here in October to dig up more human rights abuses for itself
the stage has now been set for the protest marches to continue in November until our demands are met; to this end, we will re-engage in and intensify mass mobilization for increased global and internal participation.

*Lastly, we wish to take this opportunity to salute and thank all who supported the action from all over the world, inside the country, and the South Africans who risked their lives for our noble cause. In this regard, we wish to clarify that they were not invaders but our comrades invited by us to support and see for themselves the extent of state brutality in the country. We will never forget nor ever take your input for granted, dear comrades. Aluta!!!

For more information please contact:

Ms Mary Pais Da Silva

(009268) 7603 0076/7602 4007

Dr Sikelela Dlamini

(009268) 7617 1151

Swazi Civil Society Adopts PoA for Global Week of Action on Swaziland (GWoAS)

August 24, 2010

Press Release

Twenty (20) Civil Society groups (including SNALIAWU; SHIAWU; SDC; SFL; USCW; SFTU; SWACOF; SUNASHI; SPRAWU; SAPWU; SNA; PUDEMO; SWAYOCO; SCUWU; CSC; SATU; CIEAS; SUDF; Street Vendors; and SNAT) met at the Bosco Skills Centre in Manzini, on Sunday 21^st August 2010, to adopt the final (draft) Programme of Action (PoA) for the September 6^th – 8^th Global Week of Action on Swaziland (GWoAS). The meeting was a sequel to ones held on the 15^th (where the SUDF/SDC briefed Civil Society on what transpired at the Norwegian Summit in Johannesburg on the 12th) and 19^th (where task teams for GWoAS assessed their state of preparedness) August 2010. The meeting resolved as follows:

That the proposed PoA for September to address, among others, labour demands such as SNPF contributions being made available to contributors upon termination of employment despite their age; the SEC E55 monthly tariff; the 3% tax for the low-income bracket; the extension from 30 days to 90 days for labour to review Bills; the Scholarship Policy; the Public Service Bill; the STA; the 1973 Decree; etc., should go ahead, but that the march should be staged in both Manzini and Mbabane on two separate days instead of just one march on the 7^th in one city
That t-shirts for the march should bear only the names/logos of current SUDF affiliates and no one else’s
Protest should include boycotting MTN for a stipulated number of days for exorbitant tariffs owing to monopoly status; noting that MTN is also notorious for violating customer information/records confidentiality & allowing police to intercept private calls
The protest march should stop by and deliver petitions to such overtly pro-state (uncritical) public institutions as the Swazi Observer Group of newspapers and the SBIS
Deliver petition to Minister of Justice for the speedy trial of incarcerated SWAYOCO cadres Bheki Dlamini and Zonke Dlamini who were recently denied bail
That the forthcoming mobilizing workshop also be used to fine-tune details of protest march such as training of marshals to ensure that there are no marches within a march this time as revolutionary discipline (noting need to be on the lookout for planted “agent provocateurs” too) is of the essence for the success of the GWoAS
That democratic centralism will have to be stepped up to ensure that the discipline cited above is the order of the day: leadership should be firm in on-the-spot decision-making and all participants take and abide by such instructions from leadership
That the LCC/SUDF leadership should engage FESBC, SCARTA, and Street Vendors around closing business during protest marches to minimize clashes and damage to property
That the time had come to work toward one labour federation for small Swaziland
That the LCC/SUDF owed Civil Society full feedback after the GWoAS

It was also reported that:

International labour solidarity delegations were expected from the BTUC (Britain); Germany; the ITUC; Mozambique; Zimbabwe; Namibia; COSATU (SA); SAMWU (SA); Ghana; and Australia
The SUDF/LCC continues to engage all segments of Civil Society, in particular CANGO and the SCCCO this week with a view to getting them to own up to and actively take part in the GWoAS. A meeting is scheduled for Monday 23rd August 20210, which should be followed by a press conference not later than Wednesday 25th August 2010. Student organizations SAS and SNUS are also being engaged to define their specific role during GWoAS.

The SDC can now confidently state that that momentum is definitely building inside Swaziland and that at this stage all indications are that Civil Society is ready to express themselves during GWoAS. Aluta!

For more information contact:

Ms. Mary Pais Da Silva (Convener)

(+268) 7603 0076

Dr. Sikelela Dlamini (Secretary)

(+268) 7617 1151

SDC Condemns Logcogco’s Dismissal of HIV Threat!

August 19, 2010

Press Release

The Swaziland Chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC-SC) is utterly dismayed at yet to be refuted irresponsible pronouncements about the threat of HIV the Times of Swaziland daily recently attributed to Chief Logcogco of Gundvwini, a senior prince and current chairman of King Mswati III’s Advisory Council, Liqoqo. In an interview with the newspaper, the king’s chief advisor is quoted to have said that he had casual sex with a girl out of wedlock and that he is not scared of HIV whose threat he claims has been exaggerated. The SDC-SD particularly notes the following:

That the girl in question is said to be currently in her teens and the child at the centre of the custody battle between the chief and the teenager is currently four years of age. The SDC wonders if at the time of the casual sex encounter the girl was not a minor who was in no position to legally consent to sex with a man old enough to be her grandfather in which case the chief committed statutory rape.
That the chief’s dismissive pronouncements on HIV are at odds with King Mswati III’s declaration of the HIV/Aids pandemic as a national disaster owing to its prevalence (currently the highest in the world) and its devastating effect on the population and economy in recent years.
That in a proper democracy the chief would have been forced to immediately relinquish his official public positions and made to retract his statement and publicly apologise to the king and the nation for abusing his positions and bringing the nation to disrepute.
We wonder, in the light of perpetual harassment of genuine defenders of human rights (including arbitrary police raids on their houses, arrests, prosecution, etc.), who is the real culprit in terms of dragging the name of the country in the mud now?
We are keenly awaiting Prime Minister, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini’s comment if not that of the minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs on Chief Logcogco’s pronouncements.
The SDC-SD calls on the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP), Times of Swaziland, and the media in the country to thoroughly investigate both the alleged sexual abuse (child) claims and the statutory rape (teenage mother) so that it is established if a crime or crimes were committed and those responsible are brought to book.
The SDC-SD condemns in the strongest possible terms abuse of power and position by those in authority to run roughshod over the vulnerable in society whose human rights they are otherwise tasked to safeguard and protect. We say to the world this is partly the reason we call upon them to join us in the Global Week of Action on Swaziland (GWoAS) billed for the 6^th – 8^th September 2010 inside Swaziland to force the Tinkhundla regime to finally accept a return to multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law, predictability, and social justice for all our citizens. Amandla!

For more information please contact:

Ms Mary Pais Da Silva

(009268) 7603 0076

Dr Sikelela Dlamini

(009268) 7617 1151

Tinkhundla judge denies Bheki & Zonke bail!!!

August 6, 2010

Hard as it is to swallow, comrades, Judge Nkululeko Hlophe earlier today dismissed suspect bombers Bheki Dlamini & Zonke Dlamini’s bail application before a stunned Court A gallery. The two were arrested and charged under the internationally-condemned Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) of 2008. Judge Hlophe reasoned, among other things, that the Crown had established a strong prima facie case against the accused in that they had made a sworn confession before a judicial officer (magistrate), never mind the defence’s argument that this was done under duress; that they had gone on to point out “materials” that linked them to the bombings, again never mind that they were tortured before all this happened; that the judge couldn’t guarantee the public peace and safety if bail was granted, even noting, to the bemusement of the gallery, that “it is common cause that since their arrest there have been no further bombings”. He then undertook to expedite the setting of trial date so that the innocence or guilt of the accused could be established (note that his cited words already preempt conviction).

I think I know what to expect during trial on the strength how the bail application was handled from arguments to judgment. The comrades will be convicted to make the case that Swaziland does have terrorists. This will of course caress the egos of King Mswati III & his illegally appointed Prime Minister, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini. Then this conviction will be used as a test case for dealing with all political dissidents.

Only one thing came to mind when I saw the judge’s behaviour: he’s one of those specifically appointed never to emulate honourable Justice Thomas Masuku by trying against all odds to uphold their own professional integrity as well as the integrity of the very justice system they serve. Do look out for which judge is allocated this trial (in my opinion, Hlophe as a relatively inexperienced newcomer should, like Judge Bheki Maphalala, not have been assigned politically sensitive cases like Free Primary Education & bombings respectively). Telling, isn’t it? By the way, recently appointed Judge Hlophe is husband to Supreme Court Registrar, Lorraine Hlphe.

Swaziland Democracy Campaign Condemns Mswati’s Rejection of Dialogue!

August 3, 2010

Press Release!!!

The Swaziland chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC-SD) hereby reacts to the latest developments on the Swaziland political front as follows:

First and foremost we register our firm condemnation of King Mswati III’s rejection of political dialogue at the conclusion of July’s “Smart Partnership Dialogue” at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre in Manzini, Swaziland. We consider the king’s renouncing of dialogue to be worse than the 1973 decree which proscribed political parties. The SDC-SD is of the view that the pronouncement reaffirms what progressive organizations have always claimed; i.e., the very Smart Partnership Dialogue concept has been hijacked by the Tinkhundla regime to further frustrate meaningful dialogue leading to socio-political reform for the betterment of the welfare of the Swazi ordinary citizen.
We also condemn with the contempt that it deserves the dispatch to the International Labour Organization (ILO) of three cabinet ministers calculated to try and block the scheduled arrival to the country of the ILO High Level Mission for human rights inspection. The SDC-SD views the move as ample proof that Tinkhundla has something to hide and continues to act in ways that disregard the best interest of the ordinary Swazi citizen.
We further condemn continued evidence of fiscal indiscipline exemplified by, among numerous others, the Prime Minister, Mr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini’s recurrent reports of rampant corruption within his government. The SDC views these reports as evidence that the time for a political alternative to Tinkhunlda mismanagement is long overdue and that that alternative is multiparty democracy that will engender transparency, accountability, and predictability.
We are equally alarmed at (yet to be confirmed) media reports that a number of the King’s wives are currently leading a delegation of 80 people on a multimillion Emalangeni shopping spree in Europe (Brussels, England, etc.) when public service delivery at home is almost non-existent following a blanket 14% budget cut after Swaziland’s E6 billion share of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) was slashed to a paltry E1.5 billion (SACU receipts have accounted for up to 70% of Swaziland’s total revenue in recent years).
It is in this light that the SDC-SD reiterates its call to the international community for the immediate imposition of targeted smart sanctions against key figures of the ruling class and their associates. Such sanctions should include freezing of all offshore funds and assets, travel bans, studying in foreign universities and schools, etc., until such time that King Mswati III and his Tinkhundla regime embrace multiparty democracy.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Mary Pais Da Silva

(009268) 7603 0076

Dr Sikelela Dlamini

(009268) 7617 1151

Prayer for Bheki/Zonke Bail Hearing!!!

July 23, 2010

Press Release

History tells us that we prayed for Mario Masuku’s release and the Lord Almighty answered our prayers. It is now incubent upon democray-seeking Swazis to thank the Lord and ask Him to ensure re that his other sons, Bheki Dlamini and Zonke Dlamii have not only a fair hearing, but are also subsequently released from custody. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday 27 July 2010 at the High Court. If you count yourself among the democracy-loving people of this afflicted country (Swaziland), join the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) on Monday 26 July 2010 at the Catholic Centre (Caritas) in Manzini, starting at 1700 hours. See you there.

For more information please contact:

Mary Pais Da Silva (Convener)

mpsdasilva@gmail.com

76030076

Sikelela Dlamini (Secretary)

sikamd@gmail.com

76171151