GEGE:Despite being described as a non-politically aligned organization that helps victims without political discrimination,Eswatini Red Cross Society has been seen on various occasions snubbing victims of the ruling Tinkhundla undemocratic system sponsored violence with the latest incident being the Gege-Mbondzela evictions.
Employees within the Eswatini Red Cross told this Swaziland News that,they have raised the issue of violating the values of the organization with Director Danger Nhlabatsi,a stanch Tinkhundla loyalist,hoping that,he will change his attitude towards those criticizing Government or the State.
“We are having a problem when it comes to assisting victims of State violence,the Director would sometimes say we mustn’t be seen assisting those opposing the Government yet values of this organization suggest that,we are not politically aligned. So we must been seen assisting even those who oppose Government.Writing a story will help because the donors will conduct their own investigation and ask us, they will get the truth.Red Cross is not an organization for the Government, we must help everyone and that is part of our values”,said one of the employees.
Eswatini Red Cross Society Director Danger Nhlabatsi had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
On another note,Siboniso Mkhabela,the National Organization Secretary(NOS) of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO)confirmed to this publication that,despite Government’s decision to reverse a statement supporting the evictions and demolitions, the victims are without shelter,food and exposed to extreme cold weather conditions.
Mkhabela whose political organization was,together with the Communist Party of Swaziland(CPS), successfully led protests to stop the evictions said, even the Government National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA) failed to provide assistance to the victims.
“As we speak,the victims are exposed to extreme cold weather conditions because their homes were destroyed.Stopping the evictions or demolitions without any assistance to the residents whose lives were disrupted is not enough”, said the influential PUDEMO member.
Residents at Mbondzela are exposed to extreme cold weather conditions.