PUDEMO not interested in who governs - Phakathi

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M- Member of the International Relations Commission for the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Sikhumbuzo Phakathi has said that the political formation is less interested in who governs the country.

Phakathi, who is also vying for the position of secretary general in the much-anticipated internal elections of the party, has pointed out that the 39-year-old political formation is interested in achieving the multiparty democracy and having an elected head of government, which is the position of prime minister (PM).

“PUDEMO’s struggle doesn’t care whether there is a king or not. What is important is that we want a constitutional multiparty democracy system. Whether there is a king or president or emperor or whatever, PUDEMO is not interested. Critically though as to whether Eswatini will have any position in a democratic Swaziland (Eswatini) is entirely dependent on how the leader handles himself now and how we ultimately attain our freedom,” he explained. The much-anticipated elections of the political formation are set for month end. Phakathi once held the position and was also deputy president after the killing of Dr Gabriel Mkhumane in 2008.

Worth noting is that the late Mario Masuku was in prison and Phakathi held the organisation together as acting president until he was released. It was during that period that he made a name for himself because he was young at the time and the Suppression of Terrorism Act had just been passed proscribing PUDEMO. It is that bravery and a no-nonsense attitude coupled with extensive diplomatic skills that helped him to reign in many indiscipline cadres.

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According to Phakathi, many accused him of being a stalinist and ruling with an iron hand. He has also endeared himself to any for being a tough, principled and decisive administrator not afraid to take tough decisions. According to Phakathi, it would be an achievement for PUDEMO to have the head of government elected through free and fair elections. “Not necessarily, remember the 1968 constitution was a constitutional multiparty democracy and had King Sobhuza II as head of State unelected, but the head of government we won’t compromise, must be elected. The head of State is not always the head of government,” said Phakathi clarifying the political party’s stance in the event multiparty is attained in Eswatini.

In July 1983, students, intellectuals and trade unionists formed PUDEMO, an underground coalition of popular organisations. The organisation only came to the public eye in late 1989, when PUDEMO circulated pamphlets in the urban areas criticising the aristocracy. In the following year, PUDEMO members began to organise resistance to the government through the creation of civic organisations. Later in the year, senior members were the subjects of a high profile treason case, which publicised the organisation’s activities and objectives and broadened its support base.

The organisation successfully led the opposition to the 1991 commission that reviewed the Tinkhundla System. In February 1992, PUDEMO announced that it was unbanning itself, and that it would operate openly in Swaziland (Eswatini). PUDEMO launched a successful campaign of civil disobedience in January 1996 that demonstrated an urban mass base among intellectuals, students and workers. The history of conflict between PUDEMO and the government, as well as its close ties with the labour movement, has radicalised the movement.

As PUDEMO goes to it’s congress in two weeks’ time, it has emerged that it is not only the position of Mlungisi Makhanya that is threatened. Sources reveal that almost all positions will be contested. One nomination which has stood unoppossed is that of Veli Mamba the USA-based Harvard scholar.