ssn news-issue 7

8/6/2019 Ssn News-Issue 7

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Issue 7 27 June 20 11

In the interest of learning

more about the Swazi struggle

from the international per-

spective we spoke to the

SACP.

An organization that is a his-toric 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

involvement of the SACP in the

Swazi crisis?

Chris: As back as the days of

apartheid, though we were

aware of the undemocratic na-

ture of the Swazi government.

We only took stock of the factthat 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 signifi-

cant terms the presence of South

African freedom fighters influ-

ence the pursuit of true democracy

amongst the Swazis.

SSN: What is the view of the party

about democracy in the SADC re-

gion currently?

Chris: Democracy is very neces-sary in the region there needs to be

seriousness about cooperation in

the region so that there will be

healthy democracies that can trans-

late into economic development. In

this regard we also need to appre-

ciate diversity and promote a reali-

zation of common existence even

among the citizens of the region.

SSN: How has the SACP engaged

the South African government re-

garding Swaziland?

Chris: The SACP does not neces-

sarily direct Government policy

but influences the state. So far wehave 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

transformation given the fact that

the powers at play are influenced

and supported by modern democ-

ratic structures.

SSN: What is the response of the

SACP to the formation of theSwazi Communist Party?

Chris: The Swazi Communist

Party is well appreciated by the

SACP. It should participate in the

liberation of Swaziland and par-

ticipate in all aspects in the re-

building of Swaziland.

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 keythough being the Kings willing-

ness 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 na-

tions.

Interview conducted by

Majesty Mnyandu

Six Questions to the SACP

Free Swaziland


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No Retreat in the Sawazi Struggle

The Swaziland Solidarity Net-

work has noted with deep con-

cern that the economic and fi-

nancial crisis in Swaziland is

deepening daily and that the

ordinary people are set to bearthe 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 de-

mocratic 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 Teach-

ers, SFTU (Swaziland Federation

of Trade Unions) and SFL

(Swaziland Federation of Labour,

are to embark on a three day na-

tion-wide protest to demand the

resignation of cabinet and the dis-

solution of parliament. This mat-

ter 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 be-

hind this is that they hope to in-

spire the rest of the country to

render the country ungovernable

until the Tinkhundla system of

government is totally abolished in

favour of a democratic dispensa-

tion.

In essence, therefore, it is a con-

tinuation of the April 12 protests

which were also driven by the

labour movement under the

Labour Coordinating Council

(LCC). Due to the desperate na-

ture of the economic system, cou-

pled 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 PrisonersRegardless of the outcome of the

protests, however, it is evident

that people, both those inside the

country and outside, are now tak-

ing the call for liberation seri-

ously. In particular, great interest

has been generated in South Af-

rica 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 ex-

pose was on Maxwell Dlamini,

Musa Ngubeni, Zonke Dlamini,

Bheki Dlamini and our own

Amos Mbedzi. All these are po-

litical 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 embarrass-

ment caused by the fact that the

lies of the Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Lutfo Dlamini, had been

exposed. Mr Dlamini had previ-

ously denied during media inter-

views that there were any such

prisoners. The journalist who fol-

lowed up on the matter must be

lauded for their brave and re-

markable work. Now the state lies

have been exposed, Swaziland is

led by pathetic liars who perpetu-

ally conceal the truth to the popu-

lation even when they have eaten

the country to bankruptcy.

Economic Crisis

The Economic crisis in the coun-

try 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 rul-

ing 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 govern-

ing regime as this has united all

sectors of the society, young and

old, rich and poor. This is be-

cause the state in Swaziland is the

centre of economic activity, as

even private companies mainly

survive by services rendered to

the government somehow.

No BailoutsThe 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 in-

cluded the unbanning of political

parties and the formation of a

transition government which will

lead the country to democratic

elections.

Page 2


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the South African government

escapes our imagination. If the

ANC government is not taking its

foreign policy positions and di-

rectives 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 revo-

lutionary responsibility and cour-

age, ensure that the people of

Swaziland are emancipated,

Malema said.

We are also left wondering why

The Swaziland Solidarity Net-

work [SSN] welcomes the latest

message of support for Swazi-

lands progressive formations

from the ANC Youth League de-

livered BY president Julius

Malema yesterday at Gallagher in

Midrand as part of the 24th ongo-

ing national congress of the

ANCYL.

Comrades, the ANC has pro-

gressive resolutions on Swazi-

land.

Why these resolutions are not of-

ficial foreign policy positions of

the ANC led government is giv-

ing 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 Swazi-

lands youth movements to ask

their own organisations even

harder questions.

By

Lucky Lukhele SSN spokesper-

son

What the South African govern-

ment knew was that any such

bailouts are not guarantees that

the countrys economy will re-

cover at any point in time as long

as the prevailing political situa-

tion exists.

The Swazi monarchy is extremely

wasteful with resources and leni-

ent on corruption. With these is-

sues unbridled, the government

has run the countrys resources to

the ground. We need more pres-

sure from the SA government and

progressive formations in the re-

gion.

At this point in time the unity of

all progressive forces cannot be

overstressed. The youth, in par-

ticular need to play their role of

being the most militant and most

energetic people in the country

and should emulate the South Af-

rican youth of 1976. The April 12

movement, as a primarily youth-

ful and unaffiliated group should

be at the forefront and unite all

the various affiliated youth for-

mations 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

scale revolt, they will have no

other option but to finally act on

the issue.

Their intervention should be im-

partial and in the interests of all

the parties concerned. An organi-

sation that has democracy as one

of its primary objectives had an

obligation to do more to avert

such a crisis in the first place.

Our organisation remains com-

mitted to its member Amos

Mbedzi, who we still insist is in-

nocent. He should not be pun-

ished 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 free-

doms fighters who left us un-

timely in those still mysterious

circumstances of September 20

2008.

The victory we smell is for them

too, long live solidarity, forward

to democracy in Swaziland. Hit

the final nail on the head of King

Mswati III and his cohorts and-

free Swaziland!

By SSN Chairperson

Comrade Solly Mapaila.

No Retreat continued form page 2

Fire and fury from the Spokesperson

The SADC region hasalways failed

Swaziland


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Zuma is No Mswati Toy

Reports from our reliable sources

have indicated that Mswati has

been going to South Africa regu-larly 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.

He is usually accommodated at

the presidential guesthouse in Pre-

toria. His secret mission is to beg

his personal friend Jacob Zuma,the president of the republic of

South Africa, to lend his country

money so he can avert a popular

uprising by paying civil servants

their salaries.

Jacob Zuma has politely dis-

missed this plea by telling Mswati

that as the president of the ANC

led government, he cannot act

outside the parameters of his po-

litical 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

South

Africa for medical check-ups.

Once in the republic, she went on a

shopping spree, using the little re-

sources 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 Com-

mission that all is well in Swaziland

and that they will not be experienc-

ing any more difficulties in gettingtheir salaries.

It has been reported that Lutfo has

since returned R100 million from

the money that he stole from the

king. He has promised to pay back

a further R40 million in due course.

Western nations have shown great

displeasure at the movement of this

amount of money.

The SSN is completely behind

President Jacob Zumas stance on

this issue.

Lending money to Swaziland un-

der the present political set up

would be like throwing it away.

Until genuine democracy and ac-

countability are fully entrenchedin 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 Tink-

hundla system.

By SSN- News Reporter

The SSN iscompletely behind

President JacobZumas stance on

this issue

there should notbe a single sentloaned to that

countrysgovernment


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To this very moment I have neverhead of the battle of buffalos, Why?Simple they care for each other.When a lion comes they settlearound the calves to protect the fu-ture of their species, even the one

without a calf participates in thisexercise simply because he or she isa buffalo. So for the survival ofmankind this principle also applies.

The peace loving people of the worldwill constantly campaign for a de-mocratic changes for they knowthey bring favorable conditions

So rest assured that the battle hasbeen won on the international frontthe final push now has to be inter-nal. You only need to organize edu-cate and motivate your people tomarch fearlessly towards a democ-ratic Swaziland. The whole world isbehind you with warm heats until

you join the family of free nations.

However it is not sweet as it mayseem on the international arena warand human suffering still persist ina way that requires our ultimate

attention. Recently The African Un-ion took a careful study of the Lib-

yan scenario and consulted all therelevant structures and applied alldiplomatic principles on the matter.

Both sides of the Libyan debaclewere committed to this effort.

Surely this was us as Africans prov-ing to be human in the best waypossible. Well the civilized gave usthe taste of their civilization asusual. They ignored all our democ-ratic and diplomatic approach tothe matter.

They armed the rebels to spark offa civil war that they will latter cometo stop.

The better way of stopping a fightthat I know off is for the peace-maker to stand between the oppos-ing sides and plead for dialog and apeaceful resolution to the matter.

But viola!! The trusted peacemakersof all time came in to bomb the sidethey view as evil. Has Egypt notproven that internal problems canbe solved by only the citizens.

Would there be a need to assist therebels if every citizen of Libya is fedup with Gaddafi? This is the truththe rebels are made up of local dis-sidents and outsourced mercenariesemployed by Uncle Sam to procureLibyan oil.

Recently I was inspired by PresidentZuma who went as far as visitingthe bombed sites in Libya to showbrotherly love and concern aboutthe safety of Libyans. For us to be

judged right by history we need toadvocate for human rights and al-low the Libyans to democraticallydefine their own destiny.

By Majesty Mnyandu

Strength, strength my beautifulSwazis you are almost there eachand every comer of the globe isfeeling your pain. Your recentefforts has surely globalised your

struggle.A practical lesson in this regardis South Africa which reachedthe fruition of its struggle after afull globalization of its strugglefor democracy.

Your are to continue focusing onglobal campaigning for it willsurely yield the intended results.

The political value of interna-tional solidarity should not beundermined.

It is based on the natural surviv-ing instincts that are even visibleamong all living creatures includ-ing plants.

Trees live and die for other treesto live as they produce seed andtheir dead carcasses providecompost for the next generationof the same species.

Strength,my beautiful

Swazis. You arealmost there!!!

Final Word from the editor

Check SSN Websitewww.ssnonline.net

Join t he cal l for a f r eeSwaziland !!!


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Statement of the Communist Party of Swaziland

20 June 2011

The CPS, like other forces for

change in Swaziland, has been

closely monitoring the deteriorat-

ing 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 ofSwazilands dire situation to a

head. The government can no

longer pay its way and has no re-

course to bailouts from any quar-

ter. 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 dis-

integrate. This is welcome news

to us. But as the system collapses

its officials and the royal elite

will act more ruthlessly to main-

tain their hold over the countrys

dwindling resources and to wield

the power of the police and army

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 de-

mands;

The immediate dissolution ofthe government, suspension of

the legislature and the appoint-

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 Con-

ference for a Democratic Swazi-

land. We will request the govern-

ment of South Africa to mediatein this process.

Institutions and structures that are

part of the Tinkundla system will

not be part of the Interim Govern-

ment though traditional leaders

will be able to submit their sug-

gestions to the Conference for a

Democratic Swaziland.

The Interim Government must

take emergency measures in se-

curing all state assets inside andoutside the country and to create

an Emergency National Eco-

nomic Plan to address the imme-

diate needs of the people.

The dissolution of the government

will mean the immediate end to

the kings powers over the ex-

ecutive, judicial and security mat-

ters of the country.

The Interim Government will es-

tablish 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, re-

lease of all political prisoners and

the annulment of all court cases

against political leaders and activ-

ists.

All exiles must be allowed to un-

conditionally return to the coun-

try and all political persecutionmust come to an end.

The police, army and all secu-

rity forces must cease to operate

as instruments of the monarchy

and tinkhundla and be incorpo-

rated as of the democratic Interim

Government.

The government

must go now!


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Cont...from 4

Countries and international insti-

tutions must pledge to stop their

support of the Tinkundla re-gime, wait for the establishment

of the Interim Government and

contribute in all required ways for

the process of the reorganization

of the country towards the new

democratic life and support to the

new dispensation.

The CPS believes that these stepsare the only practical way for-

ward for our people in the com-

ing months. We call on all areas

of the pro-democracy movement

to come out in support of them.

The CPS will work with the

workers and the frontline forces

led by PUDEMO to ensure all

possible means to carry forward

these demands. We call on the

youth and students in particular to

use the great enthusiasm and en-

ergy they have mobilized among

the young in recent months to

help realize these demands for

swift change.

The government must go now!

Tinkhundla must be dismantled!

Forward to a democratic Interim

Government!

By

Kenneth KuneneChairperson

Communist Party

of Swaziland

Issue 7 Page 7

The Swaziland National Union

of Students (SNUS) urges all

youth in the country, in par-

ticular all its members and stu-

dents, to join the protests that

will be held from the 22nd to

the 24th of June.

SNUS is a part of the Labour

Coordinating Committee that is

the driving force behind the

movement for democracy in

our country. We will never be-

tray this revolutionary mandate

and we believe that it is the

primary motive behind the in-

carceration of our leader, Max-

well Dlamini and Musa Ngu-

beni

This latest protest action comes

on the heels of June 16, a day

that all Southern African youth

remember with a mixture of

pride and sadness. This is the

day when, in 1976, young

South Africans protested

against one of the worst crimes

against humanity, Apartheid.

As young Swazis, we find our-

selves in similar circum-

stances. Our entire educations

system is falling apart as a re-

sult of mismanagement by the

ruling elite who use our taxes

to send their own children to

posh institutions overseas.

Instead of building new institu-

tions of higher learning,

Swazi youth More Revolutionary than ever!!!

the regime is building fancy

airports that will end up being

white elephants, amongst many

other useless and socially in-

sensitive projects.

For us to continue to allow

such circumstances in the land

of our birth is a negation of our

very humanity. We fully be-

lieve in the principle that all

humans are born equal before

God and that none has the di-

vine right to lord over others

without their consent.

We are not afraid of being

jailed anymore. We are notafraid 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 ba-

ton from those who are incar-

cerated and deceased as a re-

sult of their commitment to our

cause.

Our revolutionary slogan willbe heard loudly and clearly on

the 22nd of June. SHISA,

MLILO, SHISA!!! Let the

eternal flame of youth scorch

this evil regime!

Internal CorrespondentManzini Swaziland


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Thought of the day:

If Political conditions do not move you may be human rights and

economic conditions should make you think differently

P.O Box 1027 JHB 20001-5 Leyds Street

Braamfointein JHB 2017

Tell: 011 339 3621Fax: 086 613 5762

Fax: 011 339 4244

Email: [email protected]

Business Name

This makes transformation to bepossible only through civil war.

Now the stumbling block here isthat this route only leaves moredamage to national coercion andlasting peace.

Another choice similar is when ademocracy loving section of thepopulation goes begging to the su-perpowers for them to facilitateregime change. The result is arather more damning trajectory.

The misfortune in this regard islike being like being in love withbeautiful lady that has a viciousdog as a pet.So during glorifiable natural ac-tivities with the lady the dog sees apiece of meat dangling unat-tended.

International hypocrisy is the thingof the past. Actions speak louderthan words. Western bombes arecommunicating honestly in Libyaso the Merovangist will shy noshames in extinguishing theflames of dictator removal

However innocent as they can bemodern dictators are democrati-cally loved whether by what formof democracy. Hence the plight ofthose that need to be liberated

from their liberators has becomemore complex than ever in many

ways .

One being the fact that dictatorsand the so called do form strongstates that can have a surmount-able portion of the populationbeing in total satisfaction with theregime .

The dog starts by liking the meatsending the man to dreamlandand later leaving him not knowing

whether to continue having fun orreport to the lady that the dog hastotally obliterated the reason ofcontinuing with fun.

But with Africa the choice is usu-ally to pump even further even ifthe fun is no fun as long as yourpals can praise you for pumping

what is also their wildest dream.

No wonder you find Africans beingxenophobic fighting other Africansover jobs provided by foreign com-panies in South Africa instead ofthem working together to establishtheir own economic activities. Isthere sense in fighting tooth andnail for the opportunity to be op-pressed?

By Intellectual Recklessness.

Editor

MAJESTY MNYANDU

076 608 4819

Polit ical Merovangia Verbal Missiles in defense of Human Rights

Free

Sw aziland

now !!!

ssn news-issue 7

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