Times Of Swaziland: SWALIMO: WE’RE USED AS SCAPEGOAT

SWALIMO: WE’RE USED AS SCAPEGOAT
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BY NTOMBI MHLONGO on 23/12/2021 10:13:00


MBABANE- “The minister looked for an easy scapegoat in SWALIMO.”
The above statement was made by the executive of the newly-formed political
organisation, the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) in reaction to
sentiments made by Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David
‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala. After his four-bedroom house at Sigwe was
petrol-bombed, the minister blamed the pronouncement of the ‘June 29 repeat’
for the incident. The minister said they had seen in media reports that someone
had called for the repeat of what transpired on June 29 and the burning of his
house was clearly that, according to him. Even though he did not name any
individual or organisation, it is a fact that the torching of his house happened
two days after SWALIMO President Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane told his
movement’s followers and other political party members that there should be a
repeat of the June 29 incidents.
Prayer
This was during a prayer service which the organisation held at the SNAT Centre
in Manzini last Saturday. Our sister publication, the Times SUNDAY, reported
that while virtually addressing the attendants, Simelane implored them to return
home and be active on the ground. It was reported that some of his followers
understood him to mean that there should be another chaos in the country.
However, he then offered clarity to the publication by saying he meant they
should demonstrate across the country in a rather peaceful way. The former
Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) said he told his SWALIMO members and those
who attended the prayer service that they should do things differently.
Simelane said he meant they should not give the police and soldiers an excuse
for shooting them if they were to loot or burn property. The former MP
emphasised that he was totally against the burning of property. Also, he
mentioned that to him, June 29 was not only about shops that were looted and
burnt but that the people of Eswatini stoop up in unison to demand for their
liberation. Following sentiments made by the minister after his house was
petrol-bombed, this publication sought a comment from the SWALIMO executive
through a questionnaire which was sent to Secretary General Dr Siphetfo Dlamini.
Dlamini said it was unfortunate that the minister chose to associate SWALIMO
with the bad luck that befell him. He said violence in the country had been
ongoing before the prayer service and there was no way an innocent statement
could be construed to have instigated violence.
Explained
The secretary general explained that Simelane had already echoed that he and the
movement were mourning with the minister following what befell him. “In
siSwati we say kute umuntfu lotifelako, hence the minister looked for an easy
scapegoat in SWALIMO. It must be emphasised that the movement subscribes to the
non-violence ideology,” Dlamini stated. He emphasised that the thousands of
SWALIMO members were aware that it was a non-violent, peaceful political
organisation and was, therefore, not responsible for any violence in the
country. “It is our members who are victims of violence. SWALIMO condemns
these acts of violence. The president is on record condemning any kind of
violence except to engage in peaceful protests,” he stated.
On another note, the secretary general was asked if the organisation will
withdraw the ‘June 29 repeat’ statement seeing that it was now being linked
to arson attacks. Again, he mentioned that the president had already clarified
on what he meant. “He did not mean there should be a return to June 29. On the
other hand, it was not about the burning of shops and looting that was done at
that time. However, to SWALIMO, the spirit of June 26-29 was about Swazis
(emaSwati) being resolute on what they want and engaging in peaceful protests.
“In short, there is nothing to withdraw except to emphasise to Swazis
(emaSwati) that because of the blood of our brothers and sisters, let us
rekindle the June spirit by being involved in peaceful protests,” he stated.
It was brought to the attention of the secretary general that there were fears
among those in the political sphere that the movement could end up being
declared a proscribed entity if there were concerns that it was linked to the
arson attacks. Currently, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) is
classified as a proscribed entity in terms of the Suppression of Terrorism Act
of 2008.
In response, Dlamini said; “That will not be a surprise to us because the
current regime has shown that it is against the principles of freedom of
association and speech. The executive is not worried at all as being proscribed
will not mean the movement will cease to exist. It will be something on paper
while we defiantly exist. No one can wish SWALIMO away. SWALIMO is here and is
here until there is freedom and democracy in Swaziland (Eswatini).” Efforts to
get a comment from the minister regarding the sentiments by SWALIMO to the
effect that he was making the organisation a scapegoat were not successful
yesterday as his cellphone number rang unanswered. An SMS was also sent to the
minister’s number but he had not responded at the time of compiling this
report.