May sanity and peace prevail

(9(5<%2'< has a right to be defended, and every lawyer has a duty to defend people accused. And my office is to defend him, to discuss the accusation point by point, as I think this is a normal step in a democracy´ - -acques 9erges.

If truth be told, though, it is not only my wish, but I am pretty sure it is also the wish of all peace-loving citi]ens of this country, including some of those in positions of power, that one day the country would revert back to being the former, peaceful, tranquil, and harmonious state that it used to be.

Sadly, judging by how frenetic in a negative and uncontrolled manner events are happening these days in the country, it seems like our wishes and hopes will take quite some time to be realised - if ever.

:e are living dangerously, and on the edge, no doubt about that. In spite of the gradually evident ebbing away of the volatile situation, things will never be the same again. 2ur lives are on constant tenterhooks, fearful of even our own shadows. 2ne has to be constantly on guard about how he uses his tongue.

*ripped by fear, we are at times apprehensive, always treading carefully as we occasionally discuss with others, either in person or over communication gadgets the tense, political situation in the country. 2ne has to be constantly on the lookout for anyone showing an unusual interest on his movements.

Such an unhealthy state of affairs is chiefly brought about by the uncertainty of the volatile, political atmosphere that is currently engulfing the country.

And, ooh In case one tends to forget it, our government still maintains its ³innocence´ in spite of the overwhelming evidence against it pointing to the fact that it had more often than not, been both the chief protagonist, the leading character in the deadly, political script, who is largely responsible for the sad state of affairs in the country.

:e cannot forget how government had more often than not, been the antagonist who uses intimidation, and harassment tactics to strike fear in the hearts of many people. As I write, some of our citi]ens are languishing in jail for simply exercising their &onstitutional rights of freedom of expression.

It would be suicidal, as well as futile - and we would be deceiving ourselves for that matter - if we were to hope or wish that the political problems engulfing this country would dissipate by themselves or that a solution would suddenly materialise from thin air. It won¶t.

Sooner than later, whether we like it or not, we will have to confront our demons if we want to save this country from destruction. There is absolutely no way we can afford to look the other way, while the country self-destructs, hoping that our 0essiah &hrist will descend with aplomb from the heavens, and bring a lasting solution to our political problems.

I am not a pessimist, neither am I someone who gives up easily when faced with difficulties. But, from the looks of things, kuyenyukela in this country. Kusatonyukela, futsi. 0ake no mistake about that. Sisato gijima.

I cannot lie to myself, but, sadly, exactly like how some of my countrymen think, and feel lately, I wish I could be raptured, taken to a place of safety, away from this totalitarian, and medieval system of governance, where I would live happily thereafter, and enjoy my fundamental human rights in a place where I will live peacefully, free from the constant fear of not knowing whether I would live to see another tomorrow.

Some of us are tired of having our lives controlled by those who erroneously, and surreptitiously think that they provide the precious air that we breathe.

)rom the looks of things, it seems like the chief player in this rigmarole, cum-political conundrum affecting the country - our government - is not prepared at all in any way whatsoever to see some sense, and play its expected role in solving the political nunu which has a majority of us living in fear. :ell and good. After all, it is this government that is in power, isn¶t it" It is the one that is currently calling all the shots, right" It has all the might and power to do as it pleases, deliberately or otherwise, failing to heed any calls for any accountability or redress of the current, tense, political situation affecting the country.

FORCES

And, yes, it is also backed by its feared security forces, confident that it has the leviathan power to viciously crush any opposition, doesn¶t it" 2n the surface, it appears that at the moment, µhe who pays the piper calls the tune¶. *overnment, it seems, is gradually having the volatile situation under control, ethically or otherwise, it does not matter as far as it is concerned.

The main concern as I see it, is: has the government completely, and honestly regained whatever semblance of µloyalty¶, and or µlove¶ of the people it used to have" +as the government resolved all the people¶s grievances against it ever since the country gained independence, which culminated in among other things, the deadly, -une , unprecedented conflict" I will tell you something, though, I have never, ever in my life witnessed such raw hatred directed at any group of people who constitute a government, like I have constantly witnessed in this country. It is horrifying. &an our government confidently say it in the face that the people are satisfied, and content with the manner they are being governed" Are the resentments of the people against unconstitutional issues like poor governance, police and army brutality forgiven and forgotten" +ave they been resolved" :hen is the µexpected¶ dialogue"

It is imperative that we confront our problems, difficult though that might be, and find lasting solutions to the obtaining political impasse affecting almost each and every one of us. There are so many other crucial issues that demand our attention as a nation, and we cannot be held back by political problems that simply require us to sit down as citi]ens of one nation, trash out our differences, and reach an amicable compromise.

The fear, and uncertainty engulfing the whole country is without any shadow of doubt, wreaking havoc on the lives of many of us. It is becoming next to impossible to plan for the future because the future looks very bleak. There are so many pressing issues that demand or require our concerted, collective efforts, as well as our attention in the country. )or instance, the country is fast deteriorating in terms of development. Infrastructure is crumbling. Adherence to the rule of law requires fixing.

The independence of - not abuse - all three arms of government needs to be addressed. The /egislature needs to have its independence restored and respected, especially by the (xecutive. 2ur &onstitution, the supposed supreme law of the country, needs to be treated with the respect it deserves. The list is endless. To be held back by egocentric, political differences which do not require us to be rocket scientists in order resolve, is a clear sign of political immaturity.

ISSUES

:e need to urgently address pressing, socio-economic issues that are affecting the country as a matter of urgency, rather than be fixated with how we can use our might to stifle the democratic aspirations of the people.

It was very disquieting to learn from the country¶s mainstream media about the havoc caused on infrastructure by the recent torrential rains which triggered unprecedented floods that destroyed key, and crucial infrastructure like roads, and bridges.

Some roads in the country were, and are still inaccessible, making it near impossible for people and transport to reach their destinations. :e need to scrutinise carefully the competency of all the contractors who won millions of (malangeni in tenders. :e need to conduct a thorough, forensic investigation, which would determine if the crumbling infrastructure was professionally constructed or not.

Service delivery in many public centres is still deplorable. Accessing basic services like travelling documents, death, and birth certificates is still a problem. 0any of our people are living in grinding poverty. Some citi]ens of the country lost their jobs, and means of making a living during the &29I'pandemic. These are some of the issues we need to concentrate our energy on.

/ife has never been the same again for many of our people. 0aking a living has become a colossal challenge. The available jobs are paying very low wages, which make it next to impossible to put food on the table for some. :orker rights are incessantly violated by some employers with little done by their representatives in addressing their plight. An increasing number of our people are committing suicide because life is unbearable. The above are some of the issues that we should be concerned with.

&rucial, public sectors like those of education, and health are undergoing an onslaught. (ducating our children is becoming a very expensive, basic fundamental right to afford every year for some parents. Some of our people cannot afford to send their children to school. &hildren of school fees owing parents are sent back home by equally frustrated school administrators. The cost of basic commodities like food, and electricity is skyrocketing.

I silently grieved, and was inconsolable the other day when I read about the deplorable state of the most important learning institution in the country the 8niversity of (swatini. To learn that it is in deep financial crisis is so heart-rending. )or 3ete¶s sake

INSTITUTION

:hat is going on in an institution which used to be the envy of neighbouring countries" Such a prestigious institution which used to churn out in previous years thousands of both local, and international graduates, some of whom are at the helm of giant, corporate entities locally, as well as internationally is now a sorry sight and shadow of its former self. This is devastating. :here is our government hiding when the country is being disgraced in such a shameful manner" I once read somewhere many moons ago - or was I dreaming, maybe" - that an esteemed South African business mogul 3atrice 0otsepe once made a donation of millions to the university. Ingabe .... In the midst of some of the above problems, we are held to ransom by petty, political problems. :e are busy throttling of each other, instead of tackling other more important issues. The political uncertainty is taking its toll and taking away our attention from confronting, head-on, the numerous, socioeconomic problems that are affecting the country.

As much as the development of any country hinges, more or less, on its political stability, but, according to my two cents worth of opinion, we are going about it the wrong way in trying to solve our political problems. There is what is called the rule of law, which to a certain degree depends on how we adhere to the dictates of our constitution.

*overnment and citi]ens of any country have the obligation to uphold the rule of law. Investor confidence, internal stability, etcetera, all largely depends on how stable the political situation of any country is.

But, if any incumbent government will deliberately violate the rule of law with impunity, strike fear in the lives of its citi]ens, then invariably, national trust, and confidence in that particular government declines, and suffers considerably. Investing in a country where the rule of law is interpreted at whim, especially by its politicised, security forces is very risky.

I have said it before in this column, and I will not give up on saying it again that global government, including ours, have the &onstitutional obligation of respecting the rule of law. /aw and order has to be ethically maintained at all cost in any civilised nation. The crucial part is how the rule of law is maintained not brutally enforced like it is often the case in this country. In numerous instances in the past, our government, using its security forces, periodically and brutally enforced the rule of law, using excessive force even when the situation did not warrant it.

&iti]ens have constitutional rights as enshrined in the country¶s &onstitution. These rights should be respected. 2n the other hand, citi]ens also have the obligation to adhere to the dictates of the &onstitution, respect the rule of law. A balance, as far I am concerned, has to be struck. The violence we have repeatedly witnessed, and which we more often than not, experience at the hands of our government is alienating it from the people. 2n the other hand, as an aggrieved and oppressed people, as much as we are desperate to extricate ourselves from the abusive and oppressive system of governance, using violent means to fulfil our objectives is unethical. I want to use the analogy of a woman who is in an abusive relationship, to compare our political situation. The woman citi]ens desperately needs a change in the manner her husband system of governance government treats her. In spite of intervention by family, friends, etcetera, the husband persists with his abusive treatment of the woman. +e does not want to listen to anything that has to do with dialoguing - an act that might potentially bring about lasting relief or changes in the relationship. )inally, the woman wants out of the relationship.

SYSTEM

The people are tired of the system of government. It has more cons than pros. 3eace can never be achieved through violent means. The violence from both sides is derailing any prospects of peace. /ocally and internationally, the pressure is mounting against our government to sit down with the people, and dialogue.

2n the flip side, lawyers by the nature of their profession, have the legal, and moral obligation to represent suspects who seek their services.

All I can say is: Be afraid...be very afraid. 3(A&( S+A/20