NNCL FAILS TO GET MPS ELECTED

Swazi Observer

26 September 2008

No NNLC members elected into parliament

By Timothy Simelane

NONE of Ngwane National Liberation Congress (NNLC) members have been elected to parliament, the political party has said.

Chairperson of the NNLC Women’s League Ntombi Nkosi, who also sits in the Executive Committee, says a decision was taken by the party that members would not take part in the elections.

This despite that in the past parliament, the party’s former President Obed Dlamini was a member of parliament elected under the Nhlambeni Inkhundla. Dlamini is also a former Prime Minister.

Nkosi said in the previous parliament, there was no definitive decision on whether the party would take part in the elections. “This time we, as members of the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), took a decision not to participate in the elections because we do not endorse the system by which the elections are held,” she said.

The NNLC is one of political parties which met election observers and registered concern that their will is to participate in the election only as a political party. However, one political party, Sive Siyinqaba Sibahle Sinje participated in the elections and further said they were free and fair. Some members of Sive were elected to parliament.

...party calls big meet tomorrow

The NNLC has called an extraordinary meeting for members to a venue to be announced tomorrow at 10 am.

Nkosi said there were important issues to be ironed out in the meeting.

She said the venue would be confirmed today. “People who have interest in the organisation are also invited. We will also have a braai to raise funds for the organisation.” She emphasised that members from the Manzini region should attend without fail.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47183&section=main

SWAZILAND ELECTION DAY - REUTERS

Reuters

19 September 2008

Voting begins in Swaziland parliamentary election

By Charles Matsebula

MBABANE (Reuters) - Voters in Swaziland, one of the world's last absolute monarchies, went to the polls on Friday in a parliamentary election overshadowed by demands for democratic reforms.

The election, the first to be held under a new constitution that slightly loosened restrictions on political activity in the landlocked African mountain kingdom, was preceded by protests and sporadic violence.

All of those running in the election must do so as independents because of a 35-year ban on political parties, a point of contention for some voters who want political parties to be legalised.

There were no reports of unrest when voting began at 0500 GMT. The polls are scheduled to close at 1600 GMT and results are expected Saturday.

"I can confirm that the voting has started and so far everything is running smoothly," said Mzwandile Fakudze, the deputy chairman of Swaziland's Election Boundaries Commission.

Police on Thursday detained several union leaders and prevented other labour activists from participating in a protest at the border with South Africa. Authorities said the protest would have led to anarchy ahead of the election.

An estimated 400,000 Swazis are eligible to vote in the election in which 55 seats are being contested. King Mswati III who rules the country of 1.1 million people with a free hand, will appoint an additional 10 deputies to the assembly.

The monarch also will choose the country's prime minister and cabinet.

Although Mswati remains popular among many of his subjects, there is rising discontent over his extravagant lifestyle, refusal to adopt democratic reforms and to tackle social problems, including one of Africa's worst AIDS epidemics.

Swaziland's economy grew by about 3.5 percent in 2007 but has been buffeted in recent months by higher prices for fuel and food and a slowdown in South Africa, its main trading partner.

There are fears that unemployment and poverty could rise as a result of the economic difficulties. Already the unemployment level is about 40 percent.

Frustrations boiled over into rare violent protests earlier this month when demonstrators stoned shops, looted a market and set off an explosion that damaged a bus.

Mswati, listed as the world's 15th richest monarch by Forbes magazine, is not seen loosening his grip soon.

Link http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN930276.html

SWAZI UNION LEADERS DETAINED

Independent on Line, South Africa

18 September 2008

Swazi union leaders detained

September 18 2008 at 11:55AM

By Charles Matsebula Mbabane - Police in Swaziland, one of the world's last absolute monarchies, detained several union leaders on Thursday and blocked others from a pre-election protest to demand democratic reform, one of the union leaders said. Swazi authorities had said the protest could cause anarchy in the southern African kingdom the day before a parliamentary election. Armed police pulled labour activists from buses and cars at a roadblock en route to a border crossing with South Africa, taking union leaders into vans and sending others back to the capital Mbabane, the union leader said. "We are at Piggs Peak prison inside the back of a van and don't know why," Jan Sithole, the general secretary of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, said by telephone, after he was stopped and taken away with other union leaders. "This is detention without trial and execution of an unlawful order," he said. There was no immediate comment from police. The unions, backed by South Africa's powerful Cosatu labour federation, had vowed to block traffic at the border, a commercial artery between the two nations. King Mswati III rules the country of 1,1-million people with a free hand, choosing the country's prime minister and cabinet from those elected to parliament. Political parties have been banned in the country since 1973. Although the monarch remains popular among many of his subjects, there is rising discontent about his extravagant lifestyle, refusal to adopt democratic reforms and to tackle social problems, including one of Africa's worst AIDS epidemics. Swaziland's economy grew by about 3,5-percent in 2007 but has been buffeted in recent months by higher prices for fuel and food and a slowdown in South Africa, its main trading partner. There are fears that unemployment and poverty could rise as a result of the economic difficulties. About 40 percent of Swazi workers are unemployed. Frustrations boiled over into rare violent protests earlier this month when demonstrators stoned shops, looted a market and set off an explosion that damaged a bus. Mswati, listed as the world's 15th richest monarch by Forbes magazine, is not seen loosening his grip soon.

Link http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20080918115253421C800099

SWAZIS TO VOTE AMID DISCONTENT

Reuters

17 September 2008

Swaziland to vote amid growing discontent

By Charles Matsebula

MBABANE (Reuters) - Growing discontent and demands for democratic reforms in one of the world's last absolute monarchies will be in focus when Swaziland holds a parliamentary election on Friday [19 September 2008].

With opposition parties effectively banned by royal decree since 1973, the poll is unlikely to change the tiny southern African country's political landscape.

While King Mswati III remains popular, he faces growing dissatisfaction from critics and unions who accuse him of living an extravagant lifestyle while ignoring the plight of his subjects.

Unemployment is 40 percent and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is among the world's highest.

An estimated 69 percent of Swazis live below the poverty line and are struggling with rising prices. The IMF has said the economy faces growing risks, including higher inflation.

Inflation is expected to rise to 12.9 percent in 2008 from 8 percent in 2007, said the IMF.

It forecast growth to dip under 3 percent this year from 3-1/2 percent in 2007, but urged Swazi authorities to tighten monetary policy to counter price pressures.

Frustrations boiled over into rare violent protests earlier this month. Demonstrators stoned shops, looted a market and set off an explosion which damaged a bus.

The king keeps tight control over the legislature, naming the country's prime minister and cabinet.

His government has called on labour unions to call off what are expected to be mass protests on Thursday.

GOVERNMENT WARNING

Workers, backed by South Africa's powerful COSATU trade union federation, have threatened to block trade on the border between the two countries.

Swaziland Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini called for dialogue and said demonstrations would only cause anarchy.

"Those who will participate in the demonstrations must brace themselves to face the full might and extent of the law," he said in a statement.

Mswati, listed as the world's 15th richest monarch by Forbes magazine, is unlikely to loosen his grip.

But that does not seem to bother many Swazis, who watched Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe next door cede some of his powers to the opposition for the first time in his nearly three decade rule in a post election power-sharing deal.

"You are going to get demonstrations by protesters, but I have little doubt that if you took a referendum, you would find a huge majority of Swazis would support what they have," said veteran South African political analyst Allister Sparks.

While unions and political groups are more outspoken -- recently criticising government spending on Mswati's 40th birthday celebration -- they are unlikely to be able to address the frustrations of people like AIDS activist Hani Dlamini.

"As people living with HIV there is nothing to expect from this government as long as the system is still the same," said Dlamini, an AIDS activist.

See also

ELECTIONS

SWAZILAND ELECTIONS 2008 BLOGSITE