Being proscribed or declared a terrorist is not eternal condemnation and almost all internationally respected organizations and individuals like Nelson Mandela who fought for human rights and democracy went through that route.
The Tinkhundla regime has been killing political activists particularly members of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) with impunity, all human beings have a right to defend themselves and, anyone who still believe Tinkhundla will award them for being soft in the midst of political persecution will one day die at the hands of this cruel regime.
What Amos Mbedzi,Musa MJ Dlamini and Jack Govender did at Lozitha Bridge in 2008 is similar to what Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini allegedly did when attempting to kill PUDEMO members who were holding a meeting at Alex LaNgwenya’s house in Bhunya,Barnabas died in 2018 and that was eight(8) later after he attempted to kill the PUDEMO members with a bomb.
Of course, Barnabas, the then National Commissioner Isaac Magagula, the late Deputy Commissioner Sam Mthembu allegedly killed PUDEMO member Sipho Jele and dozens of political activists merely for wearing a PUDEMO t-shirt and demanding democracy.
I am one of those who were very happy with some of the things that happened during the political unrest, we are now free to walk in the Malls, even though the risk hasn’t been eliminated but, police officers and other agents of the entire Tinkhundla regime are now aware that,there’s no monopoly over violence.
Being declared a terrorist for fighting for your rights should not be interpreted as eternal condemnation,some of us we believe a ‘second round’ of the match is needed to restore the remainder of our dignity.
What got me hot under the collar even before the political unrest was to see police officers invading my home with guns and beating my wife and this was after I was tortured at Mbabane Police Station.
I am one person who believe a person must get what he/she gives me, I cannot have children and family members living in fear and with trauma of witnessing guns and torture of their mother while children of perpetrators are happy, playing in the park.
But apart from that, my grandfather Prince Mgungu taught me that, I should not allow another man to beat me and then move-on as if nothing has happened, he said, “if another man does not think twice before beating you, it means you are not a man, you have no dignity”.
Therefore, it is my believe that, anyone who uses violence must be lectured that there’s no monopoly over violence, thereafter, that person will appreciate and value peace.
As the situation stands, there are Tinkhundla loyalists who doesn’t want another unrest such that, anyone among them who behave in a manner that might trigger political instability, is quickly dealt with by the authorities.
Tinkhundla agents have been believing that emaSwati are afraid of blood such that, even if you can torture or do anything to them, they will just pray and move-on.
The modus operandi that was used by PUDEMO before it was declared a terrorist entity, is the same that liberated South Africa and other countries and as victims of State sponsored political violence, we must never be afraid to be associated with it, if the situation permits.
Imagine running away from your country and then State agents cross the boarder to hunt you because they know you won’t use violence against them, at least some of the things that happened during the political unrest restored our dignity and I am one of those who visits Malls even though I know the regime is still plotting against me.
But at least sodiers and the police now cross the boarder with fear that should their names be revealed, they might be personally be held accountable, these are some of the achievements of the recent political unrest.
Furthermore, some police officers now provide information and names of those who cross the boarder because, they don’t want to be associated with their mission should another unrest erupt.
Freedom is gradually achieved and I am sure that, the restoration of the citizens right to human dignity by PUDEMO has been over the years, gradually achieved.
Before Tinkhundla would just kill activists knowing that, the victims won’t do anything.
PUDEMO must never feel ashamed of their modus operandi that resulted to the proscription of the organization,in this country, no human being has a monopoly over violence and, all means necessary must be used against a regime and individuals who believe they can violate human rights with impunity.
What gives me hope is that, the current generation of State security officers witnessed what happened during the political unrest, they are now aware that, if you kill innocent civilians, you might be killed as well and the regime will never reward even your children or family members.
Government Spokesperson is old and just like Barnabas who died,he might not live long particularly due to his alleged known condition.
I learned a lot from the life of Barnabas, in 2015, he was active persecuting his political enemies including the then Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi and former Justice Minister lawyer Sibusiso Shongwe but, four(4) years later in 2019, both Barnabas and Michael Ramodibedi had died.
This means, even if Tinkhundla could use death to intimidate those calling for democracy, the truth is; even the powerful and politically connected will die one day.
Indeed, death is not only for the elderly and all of us will die one day but, even if we can die, we must die while demanding and fighting for democracy and the restoration of our dignity as emaSwati.
Velaphi Mamba spoke very well during the South African Communist Party(SACP) Congress, Tinkhundla is afraid of PUDEMO, he said the proscription was an attempt to bury the political organization.
Unfortunately, the emerging generation will not tolerate the political persecution, I am one of those who is not ready to surrender to the Tinkhundla oppressive regime.
Tinkhundla must be overthrown and replaced with a democratically elected Government and, if it uses violence to remain in power, those at the forefront must be lectured through all means necessary that, there’s no monopoly over violence.
Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko who never believed in violence was killed allegedly, by agents of the regime and, we have been receiving theories when calling for an independent investigation into his death.
The regime has been attempting to shift the blame to the pro-democracy movement saying Maseko was killed by his comrades, we are saying; “allow an international credible investigation” into human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko’s death.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.