Free Swaziland

Issue 7

27 June 2011

Six Questions to the SACP

In the interest of learning more about the Swazi struggle from the international perspective we spoke to the SACP. An organization that is a historic influential structure in Southern Africa as it stood as the pillar of the ANC in the liberation of South Africa. Representing the SACP in this interview was Chris Matlaku SACP central committee member. SSN: How long has been the ence the pursuit of true democracy amongst the Swazis. SSN: What is the view of the party about democracy in the SADC region currently? Chris: Democracy is very necessary in the region there needs to be seriousness about cooperation in the region so that there will be healthy democracies that can translate into economic development. In this regard we also need to appreciate diversity and promote a realization of common existence even among the citizens of the region. transformation given the fact that the powers at play are influenced and supported by modern democratic structures. SSN: What is the response of the SACP to the formation of the Swazi Communist Party? Chris: The Swazi Communist Party is well appreciated by the SACP. It should participate in the liberation of Swaziland and participate in all aspects in the rebuilding of Swaziland.

involvement of the SACP in the Swazi crisis? Chris: As back as the days of apartheid, though we were aware of the undemocratic nature of the Swazi government. We only took stock of the fact that it was a black led country that could afford us some space to pursue our struggle. We focused mainly of engaging them for assistance in relation to our own struggle. On significant terms the presence of South African freedom fighters influ-

SSN: How has the SACP engaged the South African government regarding Swaziland? Chris: The SACP does not necessarily direct Government policy but influences the state. So far we have made serious inroads through the ANC and societal structures that are championing the struggle of a democratic Swaziland. SSN: As the SACP do you believe the Swazi struggle has matured close to a revolution? Chris: It is early to tell but there is potential. It may not be a dramatic revolution but a moderate

SSN : What form of a state would the SACP appreciate after the Swazi transformation? Chris: The conceptualization of the new state should find away of reconciling with the king. The key though being the Kings willingness to stay away from political power. Then the Swazis have a responsibility of building a human rights based democracy so that they can join the family f free nations. Interview conducted by Majesty Mnyandu

No Retreat in the Sawazi Struggle

The Swaziland Solidarity Network has noted with deep concern that the economic and financial crisis in Swaziland is deepening daily and that the ordinary people are set to bear the brunt of it. The silver lining in this state of affairs is the potential that it has of sounding the death knell for the Tinkhundla regime. This will be the only guarantee for the democratic renewal of Swaziland. The system must be killed and buried and never to arise again. June 22 Protests As of June 22 the workers in Swaziland, led by SNAT (The Swaziland Association of Teachers, SFTU (Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions) and SFL (Swaziland Federation of Labour, are to embark on a three day nation-wide protest to demand the resignation of cabinet and the dissolution of parliament. This matter is urgent the regime has lost not only the known legitimacy to rule but just even to be called a state. For legal and strategic reasons the labour movement has decided to put a time limit to the protests and issued what may seem like moderate demands. The truth behind this is that they hope to inspire the rest of the country to render the country ungovernable until the Tinkhundla system of government is totally abolished in favour of a democratic dispensation. In essence, therefore, it is a continuation of the April 12 protests which were also driven by the labour movement under the Labour Coordinating Council
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(LCC). Due to the desperate nature of the economic system, coupled with the lessons drawn from the first protests, the people of Swaziland should be able to launch a decisive killer blow to the ruling regime and end the royal Tinkundla oppression once and for all. Political Prisoners Regardless of the outcome of the protests, however, it is evident that people, both those inside the country and outside, are now taking the call for liberation seriously. In particular, great interest has been generated in South Africa by the expose of the plight of political prisoners in Swaziland. These are mostly young people, with ages ranging from 21 to late thirties. In particular the focus of the expose was on Maxwell Dlamini, Musa Ngubeni, Zonke Dlamini, Bheki Dlamini and our own Amos Mbedzi. All these are political activists who have been arrested for political reasons and then criminalised with crimes ranging from arson to murder to justify their incarceration. Following the expose, the Swazi government banned visits to these comrades due to the embarrassment caused by the fact that the lies of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lutfo Dlamini, had been exposed. Mr Dlamini had previously denied during media interviews that there were any such prisoners. The journalist who followed up on the matter must be lauded for their brave and remarkable work. Now the state lies have been exposed, Swaziland is

led by pathetic liars who perpetually conceal the truth to the population even when they have eaten the country to bankruptcy. Economic Crisis The Economic crisis in the country has become the lobbying point for the struggle. This is because all workers, regardless of their political affiliation will not accept to work for less pay when the ruling regime continues to plunder and waste resources. Moreover, those who are normally apolitical have now found a reason to cast aside all pretentions of neutrality as their own economic interests are now at stake. This is an issue which will be a thorn in the flesh for the governing regime as this has united all sectors of the society, young and old, rich and poor. This is because the state in Swaziland is the centre of economic activity, as even private companies mainly survive by services rendered to the government somehow. No Bailouts The IMF and the ADB have both refused to bail out the Swazi Government, which has led the king to make secret visits to the President of the Republic of South African to personally plead for a R10 billion loan which would have been paid out over ten years. The response by the South African Government to this desperate plea by the king was to tie stringent conditions which included the unbanning of political parties and the formation of a transition government which will lead the country to democratic elections.

No Retreat

continued form page 2

What the South African government knew was that any such bailouts are not guarantees that the countrys economy will recover at any point in time as long as the prevailing political situation exists. The Swazi monarchy is extremely wasteful with resources and lenient on corruption. With these issues unbridled, the government has run the countrys resources to the ground. We need more pressure from the SA government and progressive formations in the region. At this point in time the unity of all progressive forces cannot be overstressed. The youth, in particular need to play their role of being the most militant and most energetic people in the country and should emulate the South African youth of 1976. The April 12 movement, as a primarily youthful and unaffiliated group should be at the forefront and unite all

the various affiliated youth formations and continue the example they shown during the month of April 2011. The SADC region has always failed Swaziland, for whatever reason, and in the event that the economic crisis boils into a full

nocent. He should not be punished for his political beliefs. Since he has lost his pre-trial, in circumstances that leave a lot to be desired, we feel that he will never have a free and fair trial in that undemocratic country. Our memories are forever with his spirit and that of the two freedoms fighters who left us untimely in those still mysterious circumstances of September 20 2008.

The SADC region has always failed Swaziland

scale revolt, they will have no other option but to finally act on The victory we smell is for them the issue. too, long live solidarity, forward to democracy in Swaziland. Hit Their intervention should be im- the final nail on the head of King partial and in the interests of all Mswati III and his cohorts andthe parties concerned. An organi- free Swaziland! sation that has democracy as one of its primary objectives had an obligation to do more to avert By SSN Chairperson such a crisis in the first place. Comrade Solly Mapaila. Our organisation remains committed to its member Amos Mbedzi, who we still insist is in-

Fire and fury from the Spokesperson

The Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] welcomes the latest message of support for Swazilands progressive formations from the ANC Youth League delivered BY president Julius Malema yesterday at Gallagher in Midrand as part of the 24th ongoing national congress of the ANCYL. Comrades, the ANC has progressive resolutions on Swaziland. Why these resolutions are not official foreign policy positions of the South African government escapes our imagination. If the ANC government is not taking its foreign policy positions and directives from the ANC, where do the foreign policy directives come from? The political emancipation of the people of Swaziland is in our hands, and we should, with revolutionary responsibility and courage, ensure that the people of Swaziland are emancipated, Malema said. We are also left wondering why the ANC led government is giving Mswati so much respect that he has the nerve to imagine that the South African government will bail him out of the financial situation that he has created with his very myopic spending habits. Most importantly, we hope that these words will inspire Swazilands youth movements to ask their own organisations even harder questions. By Lucky Lukhele SSN spokesperson
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Zuma is No Mswati Toy

South Reports from our reliable sources have indicated that Mswati has been going to South Africa regularly these past few days. His flights are no longer reported in the media, as he leaves secretly at night. He uses chartered airplanes based in Lanseria airport, South Africa.

Africa for medical check-ups.

Once in the republic, she went on a shopping spree, using the little resources that the country has. The minister of Foreign Affairs, Lutfo Step Daddy Dlamini, was also in Pretoria last week to assure the Staff at the Swazi High ComHe is usually accommodated at the presidential guesthouse in Pre- mission that all is well in Swaziland toria. His secret mission is to beg and that they will not be experienchis personal friend Jacob Zuma, ing any more difficulties in getting their salaries. the president of the republic of South Africa, to lend his country money so he can avert a popular It has been reported that Lutfo has uprising by paying civil servants since returned R100 million from the money that he stole from the their salaries. king. He has promised to pay back a further R40 million in due course. Western nations have shown great The SSN is displeasure at the movement of this completely behind amount of money.

there should not be a single sent loaned to that countrys government

Lending money to Swaziland under the present political set up would be like throwing it away. Until genuine democracy and accountability are fully entrenched in Swazi politics, there should not be a single sent loaned to that countrys government. Civil servants have made it clear that they are willing to face the consequences that this will bring if it is the catalyst that will bring about an end to the corrupt Tinkhundla system. By SSN- News Reporter

President Jacob Zumas stance on this issue

The SSN is completely behind President Jacob Zumas stance on this issue.

Jacob Zuma has politely dismissed this plea by telling Mswati that as the president of the ANC led government, he cannot act outside the parameters of his political party and parliament. While this is going on, one of his wives is taking advantage of these secret flights. It has been reported that this undisclosed member of Mswatis harem also chartered her own airplane to take her to
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Final Word

from the editor

To this very moment I have never head of the battle of buffalos, Why? Simple they care for each other. When a lion comes they settle around the calves to protect the future of their species, even the one without a calf participates in this exercise simply because he or she is a buffalo. So for the survival of mankind this principle also applies. The peace loving people of the world will constantly campaign for a democratic changes for they know they bring favorable conditions So rest assured that the battle has been won on the international front the final push now has to be internal. You only need to organize educate and motivate your people to march fearlessly towards a democratic Swaziland. The whole world is behind you with warm heats until you join the family of free nations. However it is not sweet as it may seem on the international arena war and human suffering still persist in a way that requires our ultimate attention. Recently The African Union took a careful study of the Libyan scenario and consulted all the relevant structures and applied all diplomatic principles on the matter.

Strength, strength my beautiful Swazis you are almost there each and every comer of the globe is feeling your pain. Your recent efforts has surely globalised your struggle. A practical lesson in this regard is South Africa which reached the fruition of its struggle after a full globalization of its struggle for democracy. Your are to continue focusing on global campaigning for it will surely yield the intended results. The political value of international solidarity should not be undermined. It is based on the natural surviving instincts that are even visible among all living creatures including plants. Trees live and die for other trees to live as they produce seed and their dead carcasses provide compost for the next generation of the same species.

Strength, my beautiful Swazis. You are almost there!!!

Both sides of the Libyan debacle were committed to this effort. Surely this was us as Africans proving to be human in the best way possible. Well the civilized gave us the taste of their civilization as usual. They ignored all our democratic and diplomatic approach to the matter. They armed the rebels to spark off a civil war that they will latter come to stop. The better way of stopping a fight that I know off is for the peacemaker to stand between the opposing sides and plead for dialog and a peaceful resolution to the matter. But viola!! The trusted peacemakers of all time came in to bomb the side they view as evil. Has Egypt not proven that internal problems can be solved by only the citizens. Would there be a need to assist the rebels if every citizen of Libya is fed up with Gaddafi? This is the truth the rebels are made up of local dissidents and outsourced mercenaries employed by Uncle Sam to procure Libyan oil. Recently I was inspired by President Zuma who went as far as visiting the bombed sites in Libya to show brotherly love and concern about the safety of Libyans. For us to be judged right by history we need to advocate for human rights and allow the Libyans to democratically define their own destiny.

Check SSN Website www.ssnonline.net

Join the call Swaziland !!!

for a free

By Majesty Mnyandu
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Statement of the Communist Party of Swaziland

against the people. All talk at seeking a dialogue to solve the situation, through such forums as the sibaya, is a sham. Mswati and his government know that their days are numbered. It is now up to us to make that a reality. The CPS calls on all progressive forces in Swaziland and in exile to support the following demands; The immediate dissolution of the government, suspension of the legislature and the appointDemocratic Swaziland. The Interim Government must take emergency measures in securing all state assets inside and outside the country and to create an Emergency National Economic Plan to address the immediate needs of the people. The dissolution of the government will mean the immediate end to the kings powers over the executive, judicial and security matters of the country. The Interim Government will establish the modalities for a new democratic dispensation and the drafting of a fully democratic Constitution for the Republic of Swaziland. This process will be preceded by the unbanning of all political parties and organizations, release of all political prisoners and the annulment of all court cases against political leaders and activists. All exiles must be allowed to unconditionally return to the country and all political persecution must come to an end. The police, army and all security forces must cease to operate as instruments of the monarchy and tinkhundla and be incorporated as of the democratic Interim Government.
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20 June 2011 The CPS, like other forces for change in Swaziland, has been closely monitoring the deteriorating economic, social and political developments in recent months. It is clear that we now need decisive action for change. The states financial crisis is bringing the other aspects of Swazilands dire situation to a head. The government can no longer pay its way and has no recourse to bailouts from any quarter. Government workers will soon be without pay entirely. The levels of discontent among our people are reaching a decisive point. Concerted action for change must engage all progressive forces in our country, and we must be clear what we want. The Tinkhundla ruling elite is failing to provide solution to the problem and is beginning to disintegrate. This is welcome news to us. But as the system collapses its officials and the royal elite will act more ruthlessly to maintain their hold over the countrys dwindling resources and to wield the power of the police and army

The government must go now!

ment of an interim government. The interim government will be composed of representatives of all political parties, trade unions and civil society forces, and the church to be nominated at a Conference for a Democratic Swaziland. We will request the government of South Africa to mediate in this process. Institutions and structures that are part of the Tinkundla system will not be part of the Interim Government though traditional leaders will be able to submit their suggestions to the Conference for a

Swazi youth More Revolutionary than ever!!!

The Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) urges all youth in the country, in parCountries and international insti- ticular all its members and stututions must pledge to stop their dents, to join the protests that support of the Tinkundla re- will be held from the 22nd to the 24th of June. gime, wait for the establishment of the Interim Government and SNUS is a part of the Labour contribute in all required ways for Coordinating Committee that is the driving force behind the the process of the reorganization movement for democracy in of the country towards the new our country. We will never bedemocratic life and support to the tray this revolutionary mandate and we believe that it is the new dispensation. primary motive behind the incarceration of our leader, MaxThe CPS believes that these steps well Dlamini and Musa Nguare the only practical way for- beni ward for our people in the comThis latest protest action comes ing months. We call on all areas on the heels of June 16, a day of the pro-democracy movement that all Southern African youth remember with a mixture of to come out in support of them. pride and sadness. This is the The CPS will work with the day when, in 1976, young workers and the frontline forces South Africans protested led by PUDEMO to ensure all against one of the worst crimes possible means to carry forward against humanity, Apartheid. these demands. We call on the youth and students in particular to As young Swazis, we find ouruse the great enthusiasm and en- selves in similar circumergy they have mobilized among stances. Our entire educations the young in recent months to system is falling apart as a rehelp realize these demands for sult of mismanagement by the ruling elite who use our taxes swift change. to send their own children to The government must go now! posh institutions overseas. Tinkhundla must be dismantled! Instead of building new instituForward to a democratic Interim tions of higher learning, Government!
Cont...from 4

the regime is building fancy airports that will end up being white elephants, amongst many other useless and socially insensitive projects. For us to continue to allow such circumstances in the land of our birth is a negation of our very humanity. We fully believe in the principle that all humans are born equal before God and that none has the divine right to lord over others without their consent. We are not afraid of being jailed anymore. We are not afraid of dying. We only ask that those who will survive us should take up the struggle when we can no longer do so, just as we are taking up the baton from those who are incarcerated and deceased as a result of their commitment to our cause. Our revolutionary slogan will be heard loudly and clearly on the 22nd of June. SHISA, MLILO, SHISA!!! Let the eternal flame of youth scorch this evil regime! Internal Correspondent Manzini Swaziland

By Kenneth Kunene Chairperson Communist Party of Swaziland

Issue 7 Page 7

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Editor MAJESTY MNYANDU 076 608 4819

If Political conditions do not move you may be human rights and economic conditions should make you think differently

Political Merovangia
International hypocrisy is the thing of the past. Actions speak louder than words. Western bombes are communicating honestly in Libya so the Merovangist will shy no shames in extinguishing the flames of dictator removal However innocent as they can be modern dictators are democratically loved whether by what form of democracy. Hence the plight of those that need to be liberated from their liberators has become more complex than ever in many ways . One being the fact that dictators and the so called do form strong states that can have a surmountable portion of the population being in total satisfaction with the regime .

Verbal Missiles in defense of Human Rights

This makes transformation to be possible only through civil war. Now the stumbling block here is that this route only leaves more damage to national coercion and lasting peace. Another choice similar is when a democracy loving section of the population goes begging to the superpowers for them to facilitate regime change. The result is a rather more damning trajectory. The misfortune in this regard is like being like being in love with beautiful lady that has a vicious dog as a pet. So during glorifiable natural activities with the lady the dog sees a piece of meat dangling unattended.

The dog starts by liking the meat sending the man to dreamland and later leaving him not knowing whether to continue having fun or report to the lady that the dog has totally obliterated the reason of continuing with fun. But with Africa the choice is usually to pump even further even if the fun is no fun as long as your pals can praise you for pumping what is also their wildest dream. No wonder you find Africans being xenophobic fighting other Africans over jobs provided by foreign companies in South Africa instead of them working together to establish their own economic activities. Is there sense in fighting tooth and nail for the opportunity to be oppressed? By Intellectual Recklessness. 8