We are becoming a divided nation

³

There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” ± /XNH 1,9

In last week¶s article, I made a very passionate plea to our government concerning a very importunate, life or death matter.

I gravely exhorted our government to urgently hasten, and put in motion, wheels that will ultimately lead to the proposed dialogue process, over which almost everyone in the country banks their hopes that it might lead to a political settlement which might avert the imminent, and ominous, anarchy situation which is definitely stalking the country.

My plea for hastening the dialogue process, including that of thousands or more of our people is in light of the ongoing and deadly political crisis engulfing the country.

A lot of readers responded overwhelmingly and positively to the article. I extend my copious and profuse thanks to everyone who found the article very relevant to the obtaining political crisis we are currently facing in the country.

6ome readers text me, others called me over the phone, applauding what they labelled as a very well-articulated and well-balanced article.

My concerns were about the deafening silence from our government over the inexplicably delayed dialogue process, which has given rise to the political conundrum we are currently facing in the country.

Many encouraged me to soldier on, in spite of the potential threats to my well-being from those to whom such truths rub their egos the wrong way. It was reassuring to learn that they were constantly praying to the *od of the heavens to protect defenders of the truth like yours truly. *lory be to *od

Almost all of the readers were unanimous in their wishes for me, and others to continue representing some of their concerns, chief among them being the political crisis which had, and continues to turn deadly.

HEART-RENDING

One reader¶s response particularly touched me, and was very heart-rending. He told me that he was calling from his hospital bed, where he is being treated for an ailment he did not disclose. His voice was very weak, and strained. It was obvious that he was in great pain.

He literally sobbed during the course of our conversation, saying “Kantsi soneni ku nangu hulumende, ye 1xumalo" Walibulala live letfu ngenca ye pride nenkani.” I could not help stemming the rivulets of tears that flowed down my face, overcome by emotions.

6uch responses - including numerous other discussions I sometimes overhear held by members of the public across the country, comprising of a motley group of our people - could not help, but compel me to reach this conclusion

That many of our people are detected, Maded, fatigued, and torn apart by the political crisis which, to all outward appearances, appears to have no end in sight. The political situation is without any shadow of doubt instilling and inducing fear, as well as uncertainty about the futures of many of us.

We are relentlessly becoming disconcertingly divided nation.

Worryingly, of late, we also seem to celebrate the death of whomever we view as our enemy from both sides of the political divide. For this confounding mindset, I put the blame sTuarely on the shoulders of our leaders. Few of us are oblivious of the fact that baholi betfu bavule umkhatsi lomkhulu between ema6wati through the wretched, µdivide and rule¶ strategy.

6adly, this has brought horrendous hatred for our authorities, and this has reached frightening levels. 6omething needs to, and must be done, urgently - DIA/O*8( The people are unanimous in what they aspire for, and desire 3(AC(

That said, let me tackle the theme of today¶s article.

I took note of, and was deeply concerned by the contents of an article which was published in last week 6unday¶s edition of this newspaper. It was headlined, µ81 reminds (swatini of dialogue¶.

This had me deeply thinking, and worried.

CONCERNED

aWhen, and if, heavyweight international organisations like the 8nited 1ations 81 µremind¶ leaders of governments of any country about something they agreed between themselves to do, especially where human rights are concerned, and they fail to do so, such leaders of any particular government need to get worried, and would do well to act.

The gist of the matter, briefly, is that according to the newspaper article, “The 8nited 1ations 81 has reminded (swatini of its commitment to an inclusive and meaningful dialogue...

“Michelle %achelet, the former 3resident of Chile, in her capacity as the 81 High Commissioner for Human 5ights, wrote a reminder to the *overnment of the .ingdom of (swatini about the dialogue...”

6ome of us, including our very own government, in as far as I can recall, are cognisant of the fact that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human 5ights OHCH5 is the leading 81 entity on human rights. It is common knowledge that it has “a uniTue mandate provided by the 81 *eneral Assembly, to promote and protect all human rights for all people.”

The last time I checked, our country is a member of the 8nited 1ations 81 , and by virtue of her being signatory to some, if not all of its 81 conventions, we are compelled to subscribe to, respect and adhere to the letter, to all of the 81¶s charters. This includes adherence to the 8niversal Charter on Human 5ights.

We need to be brutal about the truth, and put it succinctly clear that as a country, we are long past the stage where we believed ourselves to be living in an µisland¶ an isolated country, immune to, or shielded from conducting our affairs in line with the dictates of the 8nited 1ations charters on human rights.

As much as we are a sovereign 6tate, being a member of the 81, reTuires us to toe the line, and refrain from violating the human rights of the citi]ens of the country.

We cannot do things as it pleases us, especially where human rights are concerned. Our track record in respecting human rights is one of the worst, globally. In fact, to be brutal and blunt about the truth, iyanuka - it is putrid. We continue to, without any shame, grossly violate with impunity the rights of the citi]ens of the country.

PROTECTION

Within the 81 organisation, there exists a Human 5ights Council which is an inter-governmental body within the 81 system, made up of

6tates responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

Its mandate, according to the article, is to µdiscuss all human rights issues and situations that reTuire its attention throughout the year¶.

We live in a global village where technology has become the fibre that holds together in place our existence in terms of, among other things, communication. Whatever we do that affects the welfare and rights of the citi]ens of any country is instantly known to the outside world within minutes or hours of its occurrence.

1ow, coming concerns.

Michelle %achelet, in her capacity as the 81 High Commissioner for Human 5ights, is alleged to have said that she sent a reminder - in the form of a letter - addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International 5elations - one Thuli Dladla. It is also alleged that she sent a copy of the letter to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, a 3holile 6hakantu, or someone of that name.

/o And, behold Thuli Dladla, the Foreign Affairs Minister, is alleged to have been brief in her response, back to the 81¶s claiming that she 1(9(5 received the letter, and in vernacular, said to the reporter, “Angizange sengiyitfole Msutfu kumbe isesendleleni I have never received it, perhaps, it is still transiting through .”

The letter, according to the newspaper article is said to have been dated July ,

The million Dollar Tuestion, as you, dear reader, might have now, correctly guessed, is Who is fooling who"

It is common knowledge that some ministers of the crown have the propensity to being allegedly economical with the truth. To trigger your memory, dear reader 5emember how some ministers claimed not lied, because bantfu labadzala abacali emanga) with a straight face that the people who shot, and killed scores of 6watis at the height of the June, were - mercenaries"

Michelle %achelet %achelet, according to the article, stated that “(swatini made commitments to resolving differences with all stakeholders through inclusive and meaningful dialogue.”

COMMITTMENT

Did our government fulfill that committment" 6ave your breath, my dear reader

Most of our people, including yours truly, have lost all hope in the dialogue ever taking place. Forget about the lame, and shallow excuses made by the likes of our government spokesperson, as well as the Honourable 3rime Minister that the dialogue cannot be held while there is the ongoing violence. That excuse holds no water.

Oh ...There is a saying attributed to one of the greatest presidents who ever served in the 8nited 6tates of America government - one Abraham /incoln late - which goes

“

That¶s the brutal truth, isn¶t it"

/et me give you a snippet of what is the mandate of the 81, especially in Africa...

According to its website, in Africa, “The 81 system plays a crucial role in coordinating assistance of all kinds ² to help Africa help itself...

“From promoting the development of democratic institutions, to the establishment of peace between warring nations, the 81 is present on the ground supporting economic and social development and the promotion and protection of human rights...”

On global issues, the 81, “As the world¶s only truly universal global organi]ation, the 8nited 1ations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone...” *ot that"

Finally, “While conflict resolution and peacekeeping continue to be among its most visible efforts, the 81, along with its speciali]ed agencies, is also engaged in a wide array of activities to improve people¶s lives around the world ± from disaster relief, through education and advancement of women, to peaceful uses of atomic energy...”

If I may ask, how has the 81 helped our country so many times, presently, and in the past" Bindza, my dear reader.

Having given the reader an inkling of the mammoth and crucial work the 81 does globally, can any sane-thinking country afford to hoodwink, short-change such an important organisation"

For 3ete¶s sake *lobal, human rights organisations have the interests of warring countries at heart. The mere fact that the 81 Commissioner on Human 5ights wrote a reminder to our government concerning it¶s commitment to dialogue is a sign that it is aware of the inexplicable game of hide, and seek played by our government, concerning its delaying tactics over the crucial matter of dialogue.

It is baffling why our government made an undertaking that, “As a result of eruption of violence in June

civil unrest , the 81 High Commissioner for Human 5ights said the kingdom indicated that it was taking measures to address concerns...”

3art of the letter the Commissioner wrote, reads

“I welcome that during its third 835, (swatini indicated that it was taking measures to address concerns..in response to the protests, and that it was committed to resolve differences with all stakeholders through inclusive and meaningful dialogue. I also welcome (swatini¶s allocation in the national budget towards the dialogue process.”

It is said that, “she told Dladla that her office was prepared to assist the country...”

HIGHEST CONSIDERATION

“I look forward to discussing with you ways in which my office may assist (swatini in relation to the areas identified in this letter and its annex. 3lease accept, excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” wrote the 81 high commissioner for human rights.

In the letter, issues listed in the annexure included the following

5ight to life, liberty and security of person

Taking steps to prevent excessive use of force by law enforcement against peaceful protests and ensuring that allegations of excessive use of force are promptly, independently and transparently investigated

(nsuring that the law and practice are in accordance with the basic principles on the use of force and firearm by law enforcement officials”

I am not sure, dear reader, about what you think of the seemingly shady actions of our government in relation to the concerns of the 81 Commissioner for Human 5ights.

I might be wrong, but, personally, I smell a rat.

I cannot help but suspect that our government is pulling out all stops in a bid to prevent the dialogue from taking place - ever. It remains to be seen though how things will pan out. Take note of the Tuoted verse in the preamble of the article.

Have a blessed 6unday

Shalom! 3eace