Swaziland: Independence doesn't mean freedom

Solidarity with Swaziland's workers

Report of the Global Week of Action

3-7 September 2012

This week, Swaziland's trade unions have been campaigning with political parties and civil society for freedom for Swaziland. Thursday was Swazi Independence Day, but as African trade unionists regularly recall, independence doesn't mean freedom, democracy or development. For years, the country's feudal monarchy has presided over poverty and ill-health and it now has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world.

UK action

In the UK, unions and campaigners - including the Swazi Diaspora - held a packed meeting at the House of Commons on Wednesday with Labour MPs Rushanara Ali, shadow international development minister, and Mike Gapes (who did his VSO in Swaziland many years ago, before becoming Labour's International Secretary and then Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee).

And on Thursday, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber and Director of Action for Southern Africa Tony Dykes wrote to the Commonwealth Secretary-General urging him to hear the demand of TUCOSWA and other Swazi voices for Swaziland's suspension from the Commonwealth.

South Africa

In South Africa, where the COSATU trade union confederation has offered boundless support to its neighbouring trade union movement, a human 'Chain for Democracy' was built on Tuesday around the perimeter of the Bram Business Park where the Swazi Consulate is housed. And on Wednesday in Mpumalanga, a picket at the Oshoek Border Gate into Swaziland was organised by the Mpumalanga COSATU Province.

A picket line was thrown around the Johannesburg Consulate of Swaziland on Wednesday by the local branch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign, largely backed by trade unions. COSATU, the Swazi Diaspora Platform, the ITUC-Africa, Public Services International (PSI), the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum and Exiles Forum, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, various NGOs and organisations of civil society, as well as social movements from townships all took part.

Deputy President of COSATU, Zingiswa Losi, affirmed COSATU's unwavering support for the cause of the Swazi people, Despite being thrown out of the country several times, she would always be in and out of Swaziland to support TUCOSWA and the rest of the progressive movement. Other speakers included the General Secretary of ITUC Africa, former Ghana TUC leader Kwasi Adu Amankwah, and Swazi Diaspora Platform spokesperson Ntombenhle Khathwane.

The protesters delivered a call for a people's government in Swaziland to the Consulate.

Other international solidarity

See messages at the end of this report from the ITUC Africa Human and Trade Union Rights Committee, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the Southern Africa Trade Union Coordination Council (SATUCC).

Day One

On Monday, the Trades Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) launched a Global Week of Action backed by church organisations, the liberation movement PUDEMO (the People's United Democratic Movement) and students. Barnes Dlamini, TUCOSWA President, announced: 'The Global Week of Action is here now and we are ready to support it. We will be part of the process. We shall be there on the streets!' Activists gathered in towns like Siteki, Manzini and Matsapha, where activists embarked on a door-to-door vuvusela campaign distributing pamphlets as they went.

Swaziland National Union of Student (SNUS) President Maxwell Dlamini said:

'Many of our people have died of malnourishment, poverty and hunger which has been orchestrated by the royal tinkhundla system which has pursued skewed and discriminatory socio-economic policies. Poverty and hunger has reached terrible levels hence a total transformation of our society into a democratic dispensation is urgent and necessary so as to create a human society with food security and rid of hunger and poverty.'

Day Two

On Tuesday, a march in Mbabane was organised by SNUS and TUCOSWA on 'Education for All'. Along the Mbabane Manzini Highway, road blocks were mounted at Malagwane traffic circle, at one point holding 13 mini buses ferrying students to the demonstration. In Mbabane Bus Rank, students demonstrated as the police attempted to arrest Maxwell Dlamini. All shops in the main Plaza shopping complex had been closed down. Unarmed students and other activists were sprayed with teargas and violently beaten by the police. Participants reported that:

'Mcolisi Ngcamphalala, the National Organising Secretary of SWAYOCO [PUDEMO's student wing], was arrested and charged with 'Obstructing Police on Duty' for merely participating in the march. Students and other activists had to seek refuge in shops at the Mbabane Plaza but the Police managed to grab a few and beat them. The enemy has reached desperate levels and will stop at nothing to delay and deny Swazis their freedom even if it means being violence on unarmed citizens.'

Students managed to regroup and eventually delivered a petition to the Ministry of Education as well as to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Day Three

On Wednesday, the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) led activities in Manzini aimed at highlighting the poor state of the Swazi health system. Bheki Mamba, National President, issued a statement (slightly edited below) saying that:

'We are concerned as an organisation about the detoriating health care system. Our health care system has a potential of being one of the best in the region due to the size of our population and Gross Domestic Product. The contrary is characterised by the world's highest HIV prevalence of 26% for the reproductive age group 15-49 and an estimated annual incidence of 2.66%. The most affected are women aged between 15-49. Maternal mortality ratio still remains unacceptably high at 482 per 100 000 live births, which is higher than the global average of 193. Comparatively Swaziland is the most unsafe place to up bring one's children when compared to all other countries in South and Eastern Africa.

'Access to quality health care in Swaziland remains a privilege of those in power who can afford to be air lifted to the best facilities in the region, across the borders, even for regular medical checkups that can be done locally. The ordinary Swazis are faced with a health system plagued by chronic shortage of drugs and supplies; a demotivated health work force; and deteroriating infrastructure. Our government undermines the people's right to life as enshrined in the universal declaration of Human Rights. We join the call for a people's government now.'

Day Four

The week of action culminated in a massive People's Summit in Manzini which adopted a People's Charter, 'a collection of demands that the people of Swaziland from all walks of life want a new democratic government to implement.' 600 rural women, ex-miners, students, community and youth activists, workers, the disabled community and other minority groups took part, as well as international observers including Unison's International Secretary Nick Sigler.

The size of the gathering forced the intimidating and at times provocative police to retreat and allow the event to go ahead. Earlier in the day the police had tried to stop the Summit by falsely claiming that it was organised by the banned PUDEMO, and Mphandlana Shongwe, vice-president of the Swaziland United Democratic Front, one of the summit's sponsors, was ordered to go to Manzini regional police headquarters.

The SUDF said: 'The police are said to be threatening the activists that have gathered, stating that they have been informed that PUDEMO and have called a meeting and such meeting cannot be allowed to continue because the said two organisations have been banned and proscribed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008.'

ITUC and ITUC-Africa solidarity with working men and women and citizens of Swaziland in their legitimate demand for true multiparty democracy

Dear friends and colleagues from the press,

This is a press statement by leaders of the African regional organisation of the international trade union confederation and our 18 million members who are deeply concerned about the worsening state of democracy, human and trade union rights situations in Swaziland.

We share the conviction that a better world should be built on respect for human rights and democracy. Furthermore, we are mindful and conscious of the rights conferred upon citizens and workers and their organizations, on respect for civil and political freedom, which have been severally pronounced in national and international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The absence of these liberties as it is the case unfortunate and present conditions in Swaziland, removes all the meaning from the concept of Human and Trade Union rights, which are essential for normal exercise and enjoyment of rights.

This is more so as the country will today be marking her independence from her former colonial master. Sadly, a sense of internal colonisation continues to fester through the manipulation of culture to the detriment of the people who are yearning for the real gains of self-determination and governance. Indeed, we note that it is parts of this manifestation of cultural manipulation and exploitation that manifest in the situation where Swaziland remains the last and only absolute Monarchy in Africa, and one of the last ones in the world.

We also note that since 1973, the Emergency Proclamation decree by the King, which will be 40 years old in a few months from now, continues to ban political parties and stifle the spaces for genuine participatory democracy. We are concerned that where popular participatory democracy is absent, trade union rights and other human rights are likely to suffer. The right to freedom of association in Swaziland is suffering and deteriorating as the government continues to outlaw and ban TUCOSWA - the only national trade union centre in that country, as well as outlawing and disrupting all its activities. We condemn this development as we know that it is the eternal right of workers to associate and form organisations of their choice to further their economic, social and political interests.

We know that the economic situation of Swaziland is in a dire state at the moment, which is a sad reflection of the failing management of the economy by the Tinkhundla system.

A Call for Multiparty Democratic Elections and A People's Government Now! - is a call we recognise and support. We fully and strongly support and re-echo the legitimate and progressive demands of the workers and citizens of Swaziland, which include:

• The immediate and unconditional unbanning of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA)
• For government to enter sincere negotiation with striking workers in the public sector with a view to amicably resolve the industrial crisis, and by so doing stem the worsening hardship on the people brought about by the withdrawal of public service delivery
• The immediate unbanning of all political parties, freeing of political prisoners, and the smooth return of all exiles
• Due recognition to the Swaziland students' organisation and a cessation to the persecution and prosecution of their President, Maxwell Dlamini
• Freedom of expression and opinion and free media
• An independent judiciary
• A genuine and all?inclusive political dialogue to end the over 39 years of Tinkhundla system
• Put in place a process towards a democratic and all?inclusive interim government to prepare the ground for democratic elections
• The introduction of an economic recovery plan to address poverty and hunger, driven by a democratic government and civil society

We call on the African Union to demonstrate genuine commitment to democracy and human rights as envisioned in the reform priorities of the continental body. We also call on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as the South African government to give real and firm commitment to their prioritization of regional integration through responsible and responsive accountable and democratic government.

We salute the progressive position of the South African government's insistence that the economic R2.4 billion bailout requested by the Swaziland government will only be granted only and until when there is true and genuine democratic reform driven by the Swazi peoples and their organisations. However, we urge them to continue to put all legitimate political, social and economic pressures to achieve the changes the Swazi people desire and need.

Happy anniversary to the progressive forces and citizens of Swaziland.

COSATU stands firm in solidarity with TUCOSWA and the Global week of action in Swaziland

2nd Deputy President of COSATU, Zingiswa Losi

COSATU wish to salute the brave and courageously fighting workers of Swaziland organised under the auspices of TUCOSWA, even as they face bannings, their spirit shall never be broken by enemy threats and brutality. Together with its allies in struggle, it demonstrated a new resolve and unity in action.

We wish to reaffirm that COSATU shall not and shall never dictate to the Swazi people how they should struggle or drive their fight for a new and just society, but shall always follow the lead and respond to calls for support and solidarity from those in the trenches. The spirit of non-surrender, the spirit of no retreat and the spirit of defiance are what have proven the world over to be the only language dictators listen to and we have no doubt TUCOSWA together with its allies shall conquer very soon too.

Despite speculations and attempts to interpret our stand on the on-going Global week of action in Swaziland by various commentators, we wish to state firmly that we shall never waiver from our position to support the struggling workers and masses of Swaziland.

We take this opportunity to reaffirm and salute our allies, TUCOSWA, who, despite heavy enemy tricks to divide workers, buy off some elements and viciously attack and victimise those who were on the streets the whole week, the leadership collective of TUCOSWA and its most tested, trusted and reliable allies, stood firm and resisted state violence and the reign of terror.

We have been through that period ourselves here in South Africa and know the pains of standing firm against a vicious regime and want to assure our comrades in the wider progressive movement that we are there with them at all times.

We know that the Global week of action is nearing its end and that various commentators shall make their own assessments, but ours is that the resilience in such trying conditions, the will and determination against all odds, the unity of the genuine forces for democracy in Swaziland has reached an all time high and never again, should we allow the tinkhundla enemy and its agents and auxiliaries in whatever form, to divert us from the goal of a democratic and just Swaziland, which is on the horizon.

The direct intimidation of public sector workers from their various unions by the state, particularly after their strikes, did not deter them from effectively participating in the cause of their own struggle for social justice and democracy and we salute them.

We can now safely say the third layer of COSATU comrades has joined the Swazi masses as we talk and is inside Swaziland from some of our affiliates and shall be doing all they can to support and measure the implications for future support, not only in Swaziland, but wherever we are involved, but the lessons from Swaziland are critical to our work too.

We wish to particularly salute the organisations that refused to be intimidated or budge when the state threatens brute force and drastic measures against them and some of these are; our allies, TUCOSWA and all its affiliates, SDC, SUDF, Foundation FOR Socio-economic Justice in Swaziland and its partners, the Concerned Churches Forum, PUDEMO, SWAYOCO, the Swazi Diaspora Platform, SNUS, and the rest of the forces who have proven to be the core of the new force for real change in Swaziland. They are at the centre of the emerging centre of gravity and unity, that shall harness the massive anger, suffering and pains of the people to defeat the forces of counter-revolution as led by the tinkhundla system.

Swaziland is bleeding and we are told to be silent, because we have our problems too, but when we were in struggle, many of our friends all over the world, didn't ignore us on the basis of that flimsy excuse. They fought with us, they persevered with us, they sacrificed so much for us and we dare not forget that, when its our time to do the same to others. That is exactly what we are doing in Swaziland and wherever else we happen to be involved.

We also wish to decisively salute the SDC, both the South Africa Chapter and the Swazi Chapter, without forgetting the rest of the 16 Chapters and trade unions together with civil society organisations all over the world, who took it to the streets in full support of the legitimate workers and mass struggles in Swaziland. You pointed the way, despite underhand tactics by some elements that sought to postpone the movement towards change in Swaziland, in the process, perpetuating the brutal rule of the oppressive royal regime. The tinkhundla regime will stop at nothing to divide the progressive movement and we dare not allow it, hence our salutations to you all for refusing to be divided by the ruthless enemy of the people. Every worker and activist should feel proud of his or her contribution towards this historic cause and for that we feel inspired to do more.

The global working class has made it clear and loud, we shall be with you however long it takes, wherever you are and however painful it feels. This is our struggle too and we dare not stand aloof and watch, because we fear being called all sorts of names and being interpreted to be interfering. Solidarity knows no borders and boundaries, so we have no limits to how far we should go to reach out to calls for support, to the extent to which we can, within our limited resources and pressures at home.

Not long, Swaziland shall be a full member of the democratic and just world. This is not a promise, but a fact and none can deny it in the face of evidence as the regime daily demonstrates signs of collapse, which is, unfortunately, too costly in human life terms and therefore, the urgency of doing something extraordinary now and not tomorrow.

Solidarity message from the Southern Africa Trade Union Coordination Council (SATUCC)

The Southern African Coordination Council (SATUCC) representing 19 national federations in 13 SADC states with a combined membership of 7 million working men and women join other progressive movements around the world to express total solidarity with the people of Swaziland.

As we join the people of Swaziland commemorate its national day we remind the Royal Government of Swaziland and his Majesty the King to accept the wish of the Swazi people calling for political reforms towards multi-party democracy and restore democracy, the rule of law and respect for human and trade union rights.

SATUCC is deeply concerned with the current de-registration of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) the only apex workers voice in Swaziland. We call upon the Swaziland Government to immediately restore TUCOWA's registration certificate and stop interfering in the operations and activities of trade unions and other civil society organizations. Furthermore, the Government's handling of the recent protest by public sector unions demanding salary adjustments is strongly condemned.

To our comrades, the people of Swaziland, the struggle for democracy, liberties and human rights should continue consistently and persistently and do not relent. The progressive movement in the region and the world are with you in solidarity. We appeal to the Swaziland government to allow activists undertake their activities including peaceful demonstrations without interference and restriction from state security during the global week of action from 3-7 September 2012.

At the regional level SATUCC and its affiliates shall continue to pressure relevant SADC structures as well as member states to prevail upon the Kingdom of Swaziland to uphold the principles under the SADC Treaty in particular Article 4 (c) which requires member states to act in accordance with the principle of human rights, democracy and rule of law. SATUCC remains strongly convinced that only a plural democratic dispensation can guarantee the people of Swaziland equity, freedom, justice and social progress.