SD ON ANC AGENDA

MANZINI – “We are not going to entertain a dying party.”

This was a response from government after Swaziland was put in the spotlight during the five-day Policy Conference of the African National Congress (ANC).
Swaziland was one of the topics of discussion on the agenda of the ruling party’s commission’s report back on the outcomes of the International Relations Commission at the conference where it accused Swaziland of abuse of human rights and suppression of dissent and political activity. The party made reference to the Suppression of Terrorism Act, which it said had been used by the Swaziland government to ban political groups such as the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).

According to a report on eNCA’s website, on Tuesday, during the conference, the commission recommended that the ANC strengthens its solidarity campaign on Swaziland and that they formalise the party-to-party relations with PUDEMO.
Reporting back on the outcomes of the International Relations Commission at the ANC national policy conference was Chairperson Miriam Segabutla.
Segabutla said the commission recommended that the ANC also supports the call for the unbanning of political parties in Swaziland and the release of all political prisoners, and that Swaziland be placed before SADC for intervention.
“Accordingly, the commission recommended that the 53rd Resolution of the Mangaung Conference on Swaziland be implemented, and further recommended that the ANC explore mechanisms of strengthening its solidarity campaign on Swaziland and that we formalise the party-to-party relations with Pudemo,” Segabutla reported. 

Political parties were banned in Swaziland in 1973 by King Sobhuza II and this proclamation has not been repealed. The 2005 Constitution does not mention political parties, but does guarantee freedom of association, and the African United Democratic Party was registered as a legal political party on this basis.
Responding to the suggestions that were made on Swaziland at the conference was Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane. Simelane said they would only take suggestions from the South African government following protocols, not from a party.

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