SWALIMO CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST TEACHERS, SNAT LEADERSHIP

Sir,

The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) strongly condemns the violent treatment of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) leadership by the Royal Eswatini Police (REPS). A disturbing video circulating on social media shows police officers aggressively manhandling SNAT National Executive Committee (NEC) members at the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in Mbabane on February 18, 2025. Among those assaulted was SNAT Secretary General, Comrade Lot Vilakati, as officers forcibly removed them from their employer’s offices, allegedly acting on the instruction of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

Shameful

This shameful display of state violence occurred while the SNAT leadership accompanied their President, Comrade Mbongwa Dlamini, who was seeking an audience with the TSC regarding his prolonged salary dispute. The violent response by the police was not only unjustified but also a direct attack on the rights of workers and trade unions in Eswatini. SWALIMO unequivocally condemns government’s continued use of force against union members who are simply advocating for their rights and those of their members.

This latest incident is part of a disturbing pattern, as teachers have previously been subjected to similar or worse brutality, including the widely documented police assault on teachers inside a bus in Nkoyoyo.

Protecting

Instead of protecting citizens, the Eswatini Government has chosen to vilify the SNAT leadership, shifting blame onto the victims rather than addressing the blatant abuse of power by its security forces. This government’s posture is a clear indication that it does not serve the interests of the people, but instead upholds a culture of oppression and impunity. We reject this reckless disregard for human rights and demand immediate accountability for those responsible.

We call upon government to take decisive disciplinary action against the police officers involved in this act of brutality. Furthermore, we demand an end to the targeting of trade unionists and activists who are merely exercising their right to freedom of association, expression and peaceful engagement with their employers.

Eswatini desperately needs a democratic government that will guarantee the protection of all citizens, even from its own security forces. In a truly democratic society, the role of the police is to safeguard the rights of the people, not to serve as instruments of state repression.
The ongoing persecution of trade unions, activists and citizens fighting for justice must come to an end. We stand in full solidarity with SNAT and all workers who continue to face state-sponsored violence.

We wish Comrade Lot Vilakati and all affected members a speedy recovery. The struggle for democracy in Eswatini is now more urgent than ever, and we call upon all emaSwati to unite in defending human rights, denouncing all forms of violence and demanding a just and democratic society. Issued by the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) Ingiphile Dlamini SWALIMO Acting Spokesperson

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