PEACEFUL APRIL 12 UPRISING COMMEMORATION

NGWENYA - A peaceful April 12 Uprising Commemoration.

The planned border blockade at the Oshoek/ Ngwenya Border Gate remained peaceful from morning till late in the afternoon. The South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, in particular, exercised zero tolerance to any disorderly conduct yesterday, while most of those who took part in the protest equally behaved. As such, no violent scenes were witnessed for the better part of the protest at the border. The intended blockade was organised by National Education Health Allied Workers Union  NEHAWU) based in South Africa in support calls for change in Eswatini. Upon arrival on the South African side of the border gate, the political formations’ leaders were shown a space to utilise for their activity. The space was a lane on the public road next to the border gate. The leaders were warned against blocking traffic coming in and out of the two countries during the course of the picket.

Arrangement

However, the arrangement did not sit well with some of the members of the political formations present. Some felt that the leaders were too soft to accept the arrangement. Some openly blamed the leaders for accepting the arrangement, stating that picketing next to the road was not what they came for at the border gate. “We are here for one aim, and that is to block the border gates so that nothing enters or leaves both countries. We are not here for speeches but to work,” said some of the members. However, NEHAWU Provisional Secretary, identified as Linet, pleaded for calm, stating that the lack of interest and blame game might please the Eswatini regime.

“Remember, we are here for a common goal, which is to send a message for the liberation of our fellow comrades in Eswatini. We cannot, therefore, show signs of disjoint once we are here. May we please cooperate and listen to our leaders. Our leaders are here to send the message, let us give them a chance,” said Linet, before calling upon the leaders, who included those from the political formations from both countries.

Eswatini political formations and workers were represented by PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) President Bheki Mamba and National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) Presidents Thulani Hlatshwayo. There were also representatives from some political formations such as Ngwane National Libratory Congress (NNLC), Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS), and Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). Each speaker was afforded two minutes to make their presentations. Makhanya, Mamba and Hlatshwayo got a chance to make submissions about the current situation in Eswatini as far as the call for democracy was concerned. SAPS officers were recording the proceedings from start to end. They zoomed in on those who tried to conduct themselves in an unruly fashion during the course of the event.

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