Govt spokesperson economic with truth

ALPHEOUS Nxumalo’s SABC interview about the June 2021 sad events, where emaSwati were shot in cold blood, many were disfigured and left disabled, was shocking as he trivialised this tragedy. To this end I would like to address the government spokesperson. Nxumalo was quizzed about what government was doing to bring culprits to book since the fateful event of June 2021 when emaSwati were calling for a democratic order. He said: “I don’t know about many people who died or people who were maimed. But I do know of 49 instead of 46 as cited in the report, people discovered as a result of investigations by the Human Rights Commission.

The report states categorically, that people died at night as the theme of the protests was ‘kungahlwa kwenile’, which means protests would happen at night and hence that report states that it would not blame the security forces nor businesspeople as businesspeople defended their properties. For anyone to suggest that government should have brought people to book would be overzealous.”

Misquote

It is very sad that Nxumalo, whom I know as a pastor, decided to misquote the Human Rights and Integrity Commission’s report, which was made public. I have decided to share some aspects of the report. It states; “The commission verified that a total of 245 people sustained gunshot injuries: 36 of which were upper body injuries; four head injuries; 63 lower body injuries; two people had been amputated at the time of the assessment; 22 people sustained multiple gunshot injuries; and 118 people sustained unspecified injuries.

The commission at this stage could not verify if these were as a result of rubber bullets or live rounds of ammunition. Injured persons were admitted to the hospitals while a large number of them underwent operations to extract the bullets from their bodies. However, some of the victims could not have their bullets removed from their bodies, because of health related risks.

It was further established that an unknown number of casualties did not go to hospital for treatment, due to fear of arrest. Further, it transpired that some victims sustained life changing injuries as a result of the gunshot injuries and as such they use catheters, and others cannot function without support. In other cases, victims were left with permanent disabilities as a result of the injuries.”

Concerned

The commission issued a statement where it said; “It was deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest and acknowledges that this is unprecedented for the country. The commission wants to emphasise on the importance of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms articulated and enshrined in Chapter III of our Constitution, even during these times of unrest. It is essential that government actors, as key duty bearer and the custodians of the Constitution, ensure compliance with the Bill of Rights and all the international and regional instruments that have been ratified by Eswatini.

The limitations to these rights can only happen under the stipulated conditions and only when absolutely necessary.”The commission further mentioned the ‘use of unnecessary force to disburse citizens by police officials or force by armed forces on protesters and civilians; unjustified limiting of citizens’ rights to freely associate and express themselves in their different constituencies in compliance of the COVID -19 regulations; the vandalising of government, individuals’ and businesses properties by protesters and reiterated that violence is not the solution to the situation.

Protection

The commission’s press statement stated; “Commission is deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest and acknowledges that this is unprecedented for the country. The commission wants to emphasise on the importance of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms articulated and enshrined in Chapter III of our Constitution even during these times of unrest.”

The commission called for ‘joint efforts and collaboration in order to ensure solutions are at the best interest for the country and its people; facilitation of safe spaces for citizens to dialogue on the pertinent issues ensuring that they are able to exercise their right to freedom of expression and they articulate their grievances for amicable and sustainable solutions. Deliberate efforts by all involved to ensure that these concerns are systematically and holistically addressed post these dialogues’.

The commission found that human rights violations and abuses were perpetrated during the unrest. A number of people lost their lives and many people sustained injuries as a result of gunshots.

Further, the assessment indicates that lethal force was used indiscriminately on protesters and members of the public who were not even part of the protests. This is demonstrated by the death of children and women. Also, victims sustained injuries in their upper bodies such as the head, abdomen and spinal area. So which report did Nxumalo read? with neighbouring China, Japan’s largest trading partner, despite the long-running territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands (claimed as the Daioyus by China). Relations with South Korea remained poor, however, due to disputes over historical issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of Korea.

A member of the largest conservative faction in the Liberal Democratic Party, Abe’s dominance over the party and Japanese politics began to erode when the ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the 2019 Upper House election. A long-running series of nepotism scandals also dented his public standing; investigations by public prosecutors led to charges against some of Abe’s associates and political staff, although Abe himself was never indicted.

While Japan coped fairly well with the COVID pandemic, largely due to cooperation with recommended health measures by the public, Abe’s government came under increasing criticism for a series of inept pandemic responses as the economy went into a sharp recession. Abe’s ill-health returned, and he resigned in August 2020, replaced the following month by his former chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga.

Abe remained in the Diet, and last year became the leader of the Hosoda faction, after backing his former Foreign Minister and current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the race to become the party’s leader. Campaigning halted

In response to this tragedy, the Liberal Democratic Party has requested that its candidates cease campaigning, and opposition party politicians have also announced they will suspend campaign activities.

Kishida has returned to the prime minister’s office to monitor the situation, but at the time of writing, there has been no announcement about voting arrangements for the Upper House election, which was due to proceed yesterday.

In pre-election polling, the Liberal Democratic Party was expected to win a comfortable majority, in partnership with its junior partner, the Komeito party.

The 2022 Upper House election will now remain under the shadow of one of the most disturbing events in Japan’s modern political history.