Change.
This is what the people of Eswatini (Swaziland) long for.
Since July the kingdom has been convulsed by a series of violent protests, which have seen almost 100 citizens killed in clashes with military and police forces as pro-democracy protests threatened to topple Africa’s last absolute monarch.
At the centre of the civil unrest sits the country’s leader — King Mswati III, 53 — who since the age of 18 has ruled over a small population of about 1.2-million people.
Last week dozens of members from various civil servants’ associations were shot and injured during protests, which have been indefinitely banned by government.
The protests coincided with a three-week public transport strike which saw businesses in Manzini and Mbabane, the country's capital, brought to a halt.
Government spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said they were aware of three deaths in the past two weeks during public transport protests.
Last week dozens of members from various civil servants’ associations were shot and injured during protests, which have been indefinitely banned by government.
The anti-Mswati unrest has been fuelled by resentment at the flamboyant lifestyle the king leads with his 15 wives. Those who have spoken out against Mswati have been made an example of.
They include two MPs, Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Mabuza, who were arrested on charges of terrorism after they called for limits to be imposed on the king’s power.
Their arrests and delays in their bail applications have further fuelled anger among demonstrators.
When Sunday Times Daily visited the landlocked country this week, citizens expressed fear of speaking out against the king, pledging their support for his rule in the hope that he would change in time. Others were vocal about a change in leadership, but not necessarily outright democracy — truly a nation divided. On Saturday it appeared to be business as usual in Mbabane.
Motorists clogged vendor-lined streets, restaurants and shops were open and there was little sign of police or military presence.
A far cry from the previous week, when shaky cellphone footage emerged from the same streets shrouded in clouds of teargas.
Many of Eswatini’s residents would not speak in fear of retribution. However trades union and political parties continue to push for change.
Initiated by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) and the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA), a total shutdown has been planned for Thursday, as calls from international human rights organisations for peace continue play out.
Justice sought
For the family of slain 34-year-old taxi conductor Sabelo Dlamini, peace will only come with justice.
Dlamini was allegedly shot by police last week during the public transport strike by taxi and bus operators.
Sunday Times Daily visited his home in the rural village of Gundvwini, 25km from Manzini, where he was shot.
His father, Titi Dlamini, said they received rumours of his death on Thursday.
“We heard that Sabelo was injured through rumours. We decided to go and check if it was him. When I arrived at the police station they told me that I look like Sabelo but told me that no one knows him because there were no details of my son.”
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“When I asked to see him, they [police] told me they were with him when he was injured and they took me to him. When I wanted to take him to put him in a proper mortuary, the police disagreed with me. I asked them why they didn’t want me to take him. They told me that they still had to do a post-mortem.”
He claimed police visited him at his home the following day to confirm his son had been shot by police.
“The following day at around 10am policemen visited me and told me they were commissioned by their boss to come and inform me that Sabelo died at the hands of the police. I told them that I will open a case but let me bury him first.”
Eswatini police could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Sadc intervenes
The violence which claimed Dlamini’s life and saw at least 20 other unionists shot and injured compelled President Cyril Ramaphosa — chair of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) organ on politics, defence and security — to intervene.
Ramaphosa sent former cabinet minister Jeff Radebe to Eswatini as his special envoy.
Radebe was accompanied by representatives from Namibia and Botswana, and the delegation was assisted by the Sadc secretariat.
After their visit, Mswati issued an announcement to the nation calling for calm, stating that a Sibaya (kraal meeting) would be used as the forum for the national dialogue that pro-democracy proponents have been agitating for.
In a statement on Wednesday the country’s prime minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, said they were aware of the planned protests.
“One wonders what the purpose of the march is, given that His Majesty has already committed to a dialogue. We would expect all emaSwati to heed the call to dialogue and stay away from the streets as this is has led to violence and intimidation.”
Hope for change
The cheerful sound of birds calling one another amid the mountains of Lobamba Lomndzala is drowned out by a compelling voice echoing prayer across the divided kingdom below. At the song’s source, two figures stand in shade cast by a solitary tree, standing proud against the rolling hills. Msimisimi Xaba and Ntombifuthi Sifundza pray for peace for their nation.
While the two devoted Christians declined an interview, Thulani Maseko, 50, chairperson of a multi-stakeholder forum comprising representatives of civil society organisations, political parties and concerned citizens, told Sunday Times Daily that the time for change had come.
“The calm you see now is a result of us reviewing our position regarding the crisis. The MPs who are in jail have committed no crime except to call for the election of a prime minister through a multiparty constitutional order.”
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Liphimbo Labomake women’s coalition vice-chair Zanele Thabede said the people of Eswatini wanted change but not necessarily democracy.
“If we look at SA, that’s not something we want for our country. Democracy is not necessarily the answer. Inclusiveness and accountability are what people want to see.”
Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland has expressed concerns over the ongoing civil unrest in Eswatini.
“In discussions with His Majesty King Mswati III, the secretary-general expressed the Commonwealth family’s concerns over the ongoing violence and its effects on peace and security in the kingdom, including the loss of lives and the destruction of property, as well as the impact on the rights of children to education given the current closure of schools,” a statement from the Commonwealth read.
It highlighted the need to expedite an inclusive and collaborative national dialogue process.
