NO NEED TO APOLOGISE, WE’VE NOT BROKEN ANY LAW - SWAYOCO

MBABANE – “We do not see the need for a public apology as we have not broken any law.”

The above statement was made by proscribed entity, the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) Secretary General (SG) Mthobisi Ntshangase. His statement comes after the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, called upon the political formation to make a public apology to the nation on Monday afternoon, following the participation of children during its celebration on Saturday.

Principles

Masuku said this was because the use of children in such activities was seen as contrary to the fundamental principles and rights of the ‘Best interest of the Child’, stipulated by the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child and the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act (CPWA), 2012. Ntshangase said if the DPM strongly felt that the law had been broken, he should officially write to the organisation and cite the law that was contravened. He said after receiving the complaint, they would also engage their legal team, should they find that the law was indeed contravened. “For now, we still stand that there was no law that was broken considering what transpired during the day.” He said both the CPWA and the Constitution were not broken in any way, including other legislation globally. Ntshangase said for now, they considered what the DPM said as accusations made towards the organisation, which were baseless.

Membership

According to Ntshangase, their membership included children from 14 years upwards. However, he stated that when it came to attendance of their activities, anyone was allowed, regardless of age, as long as they would not in any way be exposed to danger. He said the celebration was similar to any other activity, including community meetings, which were attended by anyone. Meanwhile, the DPM stated that they did not care whether or not the organisation issued an apology but were of the view that they had abused children. Masuku said as leaders, they should be aware of what the legislation said about abuse of children, in particular for their own gain.

Matter handled by cops - DPM

MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, says the matter of the political formation, which allegedly abused children for its own gain, is being handled by the police.

Masuku said as a guardian and custodian of the law, he felt the law was broken but did not have the power to arrest, hence the matter had been handed over to the police. “As the custodian of the legislation, we alert the law enforcement,” stated the DPM. When questioned if his office had tried to contact the children’s guardians, Masuku said it was part of the investigations as the parents had full responsibility and they should have been worried the moment they realised that their children were associated with the organisation.

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