NO DISRUPTIONS AT NGWENYA BORDER

MBABANE – There were no disruptions in operations at the Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Gate, despite the commemoration of April 12 by marchers who wanted to stage a border blockade.

The marchers were from different political formations and trade unions from South Africa (SA) and Eswatini. They gathered at the border gate on the South African side, singing political songs. They gave each other chances to deliver their speaches on behalf of their organisations.

Blockade

The border blockade was organised and led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Other organisations that were represented included the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF), and Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), to name a few. The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President, Mbongwa Dlamini, was also part of the marchers.

The marchers arrived at around 10am and gathered by the border gate on the SA side. They sang political songs and then moved backwards, away from the border and regrouped 100 metres away from the border gate. At around noon, they moved closer to the border gate and were met by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), who formed a wall to avoid them from reaching the border. The SAPS allowed them to assembly on the side of the road, resulting in the free flow of trucks and other vehicles. On the Eswatini side, members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) were also deployed at the border gate to maintain peace and order. They remained on the Eswatini side and watched the proceedings on the other side.

Most of the speakers called for the withdrawal of the 1973 Decree, which saw political parties being banned in Eswatini. On April 12, 1973, King Sobhuza II declared a state of emergency, dissolved the House of Assembly, banned all political parties and abolished the 1968 Constitution. They further called for the national dialogue. SWAYOCO Deputy President Palesa Dlamini told the marchers that they would do everything in their power to disrupt the upcoming elections.

Support

Swaziland National Union of Students’ (SNUS) Sambulo Shongwe appreciated COSATU for organising the demonstration at the border, as such events showed the South Africa’s workers union’s support to the Eswatini struggle for democracy. Shongwe further highlighted the challenges faced by the local tertiary students. He said currently, the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) was closed indefinitely, following a strike action by lecturers. He also highlighted that as students, they were also engaged in a campaign to demand scholarships for all students who had been admitted to tertiary institutions. Shongwe mentioned that they were also demanding free education in both primary and secondary/high school.  

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