JUNE 29, 2021 VICTIMS, SURVIVORS COMMEMORATE PEACEFULLY

MANZINI – It was an emotion- filled day   as members of the democratic change movement commemorated the survivors and those who lost their lives during the civil unrest on June 29, 2021, peacefully yesterday.

This was despite the heavy security that was present over the past week on all major roads around the country, which culminated in drama unfolding at Siphofaneni on Friday morning, where members of the security forces raided homes of Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane and former Senate Deputy President Ngomuyayona Gamedze, in the wee hours of morning . The event was organised by the Swaziland Massacre Victims and Survivors Association (SWAVISA). The event was held at Caritas, Manzini yesterday .

The heavy security presence continued yesterday, as members of the security forces engaged on random patrols around the country, a  security surveillance helicopter was also spotted hovering over the venue where the commemoration was held. It is worth noting that despite the heavy security presence, things continued as usual in the busy city of Manzini, as people went about their business despite the anticipation and uncertainty that engulfed a majority of the public, as they anticipated yet another violent encounter between members of the public and security forces.

At the event, different political activists, including members of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS), joined in to commemorate the day, as well as pay their respects to those who lost their lives. The event which began vibrantly as the attendees sang political songs and danced, ended on a sad, teary and emotional note as all those present observed a moment of silence and lit candles in memory of those who lost their lives during the unrest.

The relatives and friends of all those who passed away during the unrest also wrote their names on a canvas in honour of their lives.  The survivors and the family members of those who could not be present during the event shared their testimony on the difficulties they have faced as a result of the various injuries they sustained during the unrest. Some of the victims mentioned that before the unrest, they lived better lives and had jobs, but that was no longer the cased as they could no longer provide for themselves and their families. A majority of the survivors put the blame on government for failing them, while others advocated for the truth to be told on what happened during the unrest.

They also blamed the security forces for the violence they said was inflicted on them unnecessarily. The political parties pledged their support to the survivors, as well as the family members of the deceased. Manzini North, SWALIMO Chairperson  Mbongwa Hlanze, said yesterday was a sad day for them all. He said personally, he was against the Tinkhundla system of government, since he was forced to drop out of school while pursuing his primary education because he did not have money to pay for his examination fee, as his mother was forced to take care of his father who was in hospital. “That was when I realised that the Tinkhundla system of government did not prioritise the people’s interests, even minors,” he said.
He mentioned that as a movement, they were aggrieved about the death and injury of all those who were victims of the civil unrest in 2021.

“That was not the end of it, as yesterday, (Friday) security forces authorised by government raided people’s homes and terrorised them. This morning, many people were assaulted by security forces at Kakhoza (Manzini),” he alleged. He alleged that the very same security forces, who were expected to protect the people, were the same ones who were assaulting them for apparently no reason. He said those who were expected to protect the people were their enemies.

PUDEMO National Organising Secretary, Siboniso Mkhabela said PUDEMO was also present when SWAVISA was launched and still maintained their support to the victims of the unrest. “As PUDEMO, we are committed to stand by you and support you through thick and thin,” he said. He added that as a political party, they understood that the victims of the civil unrest were not only those who were injured and those who lost their lives, but every liSwati was a victim. He urged SWAVISA to visit emaSwati across the country, because those who were raided by security forces without search warrants were also victims, as well as those who were allegedly  assaulted at roadblocks.

He said farm dwellers who were forcefully evicted from their homes, like it recently happened at Mbondzela, were also victims and were members of SWAVISA. He said the events that unfolded on June 2021, were the reason security had been tightened and the local army was now led by mercenaries from other countries and what was left was for them to sacrifice their bodies and their lives to get the freedom they desired. Mkhabela also mentioned that as PUDEMO, they also pledged their support to SWAVISA. He pleaded with SWAVISA member to ensure that the June 29, 2021, was not a onetime occasion, but an everyday commitment to the course.

He said the victims were better placed to spread the word, as they were living proof of what happened on the infamous day. He said other political parties speak for the victims better than the survivors of the unrest. Meanwhile SNUS Secretary General, Sambulo Shongwe said as SNUS members, before being students, they identified themselves as members of the community and it was for that reason they were there to support the survivors and pay their respects to those who lost their lives during the unrest. He said they were honoured to be invited to such a significant day and they were cognisant that yesterday marked the third year since the Tinkhundla system of government showed and portrayed its brutality in full view of all emaSwati. Shongwe added that their message of solidarity as SNUS was that they were part and parcel of SWAVISA and were also victims of the system of governance, as they also had victims who had been physically brutalised by the system of governance.

“It may not be a message of solidarity, but a message of affirmation of our support to SWAVISWA and its activities in line with its objectives,” he said.

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