SA, EMASWATI PROTESTERS GROUND MATSAMO

PIGG’S PEAK – Matsamo Border was forced to temporarily close when protesters on the South African side (Jeppes Reef Border Post) blocked the road while picketing.

The picketing was done in solidarity with local activists who have been calling for political reforms. Also among South African protesters were emaSwati based in South Africa (SA). It was gathered that some of the picketers were members of COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions), NEHAWU (National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union) SWAYOCO (Swaziland Youth Congress) and PUDEMO (People’s United Democratic Movement). SWAYOCO and PUDEMO are proscribed entities in the Kingdom of Eswatini. A gate to SA was quickly shut by South African authorities to prevent protesters from walking into Eswatini. The Matsamo Border Gate is one of the busiest exit points in northern Hhohho leading into South Africa (SA). Travellers, including business operators who buy items in that country, rely on this border gate.

Operations

However, yesterday, operations were grounded when the protesters, who were on the South African side, picketed and blocked the free flow of traffic. Some of the picketers were wearing on Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) attire. EFF is a South African political party. A crowd of protesters chanted political songs as they prevented vehicles from proceeding to SA. The protesters also demanded that no vehicle from Eswatini should be allowed to enter SA. Other than the border gate, Matsamo also has shops as well as a filling station which services the surrounding areas. Some of the shop owners, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were warned on Sunday not to open their shops as South African protesters would enter the country. They said the protesters said they would do so by 9am yesterday. Just as they had promised, protesters began to gather on the South African side by around 9am. This forced officials on the Eswatini side to close the border as well. Public transport operators were warned against transporting people to the border as some South Africans may force their way into the country.

Police officers as well as soldiers from the nearby army base arrived to monitor the situation after fears that some of the South Africans were attempting to enter the country by force. However, this did not happen as officials from SA also ensured that the border gate on their side remained closed. During the protest, one of the marchers spoke using the aid of a megaphone, declaring support for Eswatini activists for the call for a multi-party democracy. Mlandvo Dlamini, who is the Communications Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that the border was temporarily closed. He said this was due to the picketing which was taking place on the South African side. He said the border reopened as soon as the picketing ended. Dlamini said the border’s operations were back to normal.

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