swaziland times

MANZINI – It was an emotional day yesterday as members of the Movement for Democratic Change peacefully commemorated those who survived and lost their lives in the civil unrest on June 29, 2021.

Despite tight security on all major roads across the country over the past week, the situation remains out of control and violent clashes broke out in Sifofaneni on Friday morning, with members of the security forces raiding the residences of Sifofaneni MP Nomalangelo Razvide Simelane and former Senate Deputy President Ngomuayona Gameze in the early hours of the morning. The event was organised by the Swaziland Genocide Victims and Survivors Association (SWAVISA) and was held at the Caritas in Manzini yesterday.

Tight security measures continued yesterday, with members of the security forces conducting random patrols across the country and a security surveillance helicopter spotted hovering over the commemoration site. It is noteworthy that despite the heavy security deployment, it was business as usual in the busy city of Manzini as people went about their business as usual, although there was a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty in the minds of most of the people as they feared another violent clash between the people and the security forces.

At the event, different political activists including members of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), and the National Union of Swaziland Students (SNUS) came together to mark the day and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the war. At the beginning of the event, participants sang political songs and danced, and the atmosphere was lively. At the end of the event, all participants observed a minute of silence and lit candles to mourn those who died in the unrest. The atmosphere was sad, tearful and moving.

Friends and relatives of all those who died in the unrest also wrote their names on the canvas to commemorate their lives. Survivors and family members of victims who were unable to attend the event spoke of the difficulties they faced due to injuries sustained during the unrest. Some victims mentioned that before the unrest, they had a better life and had jobs, but that this is no longer the case as they can no longer feed themselves and their families. Most survivors put the blame on the government’s failure to do its job, while others advocated for revealing the truth about what happened during the unrest.

They also accused the security forces of unnecessary violence against them. Political parties pledged support to the survivors as well as the families of the deceased. Mbongwa Hlanze, chairman of SWALIMO in Manzini North, said yesterday was a sad day for all of them. He said he personally opposed the Tinkhundla system of government because he was forced to drop out of primary education because he had no money to pay for his exams and his mother was forced to take care of his father who was in hospital. “That’s when I realized that the Tinkhundla system of government did not prioritize the interests of the people, even those of minors,” he said.
He mentioned that as a movement, they grieve the deaths and injuries of all victims of the 2021 civil unrest.

“It is not over yet, yesterday (Friday), government-authorised security forces raided residents’ homes and intimidated them. This morning, many people were attacked by security forces in Kahoza (Manzini),” he claimed. He claimed that the security forces that were supposed to protect the people were attacking them for no reason. He said the security forces that were supposed to protect the people were the enemies of the people.

PUDEMO National Organising Secretary Siboniso Mkhabela said PUDEMO also attended the launch of SWAVISA and continued to support the victims of the riots. “As PUDEMO, we are committed to standing with you and supporting you in good times and bad,” he said. He added that as a party they understand that the victims of the civil unrest are not just those who are injured and those who lose their lives, but every Swazi is a victim. He urged SWAVISA to visit Swazis across the country because those who were raided by security forces without a warrant are also victims, as well as those who were allegedly attacked at roadblocks.

He said farm dwellers who were forcibly evicted from their homes, as happened recently in Mbonzera, were also victims and members of SWAVISA. He said the events of June 2021 were the reason for the tightening of security measures, with the local army now led by mercenaries from other countries who can only sacrifice their bodies and lives to gain the freedom they want. Mkhabela also mentioned that as PUDEMO, they are also committed to supporting SWAVISA. He implored SWAVISA members to ensure that June 29, 2021 is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to the course.

He said the victims were better placed to spread the message because they were living witnesses of the infamous riots. He said other political parties were better placed to speak for the victims than the survivors of the riots. Meanwhile, SNUS Secretary General Sambulo Shongwe said as members of SNUS, before becoming students, they considered themselves as members of the community and hence they were here to support the survivors and pay respects to those who lost their lives in the unrest. He said they were honoured to be invited to such an important day and they also realised that yesterday was the third year that the Tinkhundla system of government had been showing and portraying its atrocities to all emaSwati. Shongwe added that their message of solidarity as SNUS was that they were part of SWAVISA and also victims of the system of governance because they too were victims who were physically brutalised by the system of governance.

“This may not be a message of unity but a message of affirmation of our support for SWAVISWA and its activities in line with its objectives,” he said.