Police deny opening fire against protesters
MBABANE – “The police did not open fire against protesters.”
This was the assertion made by the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati after allegations made by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) suggested that during a protest last Thursday, the police used force by allegedly opening fire on purported peaceful protesters.
Violence
“The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation TUC-Africa were horrified by reports that the Government of Eswatini has continued to use force and violence against its citizens. In particular, we are dismayed by the government’s continued use of force against peaceful protesters and political opponents,” stated ITUC-Africa through its Secretary General Kwasi Adu-Amankwah.
The confederation further alleged that reports reaching them had indicated that on the day of the protest, police officers opened fire against protesters marching on the streets of Manzini.
However, Superintendent Vilakati disputed this, stating that although they had not received a correspondence from the confederation on the aforementioned issue, the police simply dispersed the crowd of protesters on Thursday which was blocking cars and disturbing operations on the day.
The confederation penned down the communication and directed it to the Prime Minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, and also urged government to embrace an open, inclusive and genuine dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders in the country.
“The same information indicated that the protesters were demanding political dialogue as a possible solution to the ongoing tensions in the country. ITUC Africa strongly condemns the use of force against citizens for merely protesting. Protest is not a crime and
banning it is counterproductve. For emphasis, Eswatini (Swaziland) is a signatory to several African and international instruments protecting the right to peaceful assembly, expression and opinion.
“These instruments, which include the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the African Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are all unambiguous on the sanctity of these rights, which also include the right to association. Banning protests and ordering shoot-at-sight orders negates democracy and human rights,” stated the ITUC SG.
Worried
He further stated that they were worried that force had continued to be applied against political opponents since the current political impasse began last year.
“This use of disproportionate and fatal force has led to the avoidable death of dozens of civilians. We ask that these killings and use of intimidation must stop forthwith.”
According to ITUC-Africa, the protest was organised by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF).
Worth noting is that last year a series of events led to a civil unrest on June 29, which resulted in the death
of approximately 46 individuals, as stated by a report compiled by the Eswatini Human Rights Commission and Administration.
Also as of late, a number of security forces, predominantly police officers, have been the target of shootings by unkown individuals, with the most recent case being that of a 37-year-old police officer, who is based under the Traffic Department at Matsapha Police Station, was shot once in the left side of his abdomen while he and his colleagues were attending to a road traffic accident at New Village, along Mhlaleni/Nhlangano Public Road.
Concerns
The National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, has raised concerns that the continued violent attack of officers undermines peace and stability in the country.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Security, Politics and Defence recently stated, through its Chairperson, Nambia President Dr Hage Geingob that SADC would be coming to address security challenges in Eswatini.
However, it was not established when the organ would come to Eswatini to address the security challenges.