Eswatini Roundup: Human rights, extradition of suspects, tariff hikes
Parliamentarians complain about CJ's conduct
Eswatini parliamentarians (MPs) have petitioned the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane, to lead them to the King to report the chief justice (CJ) for alleged unprofessional conduct. They accused the CJ, Bheki Maphalala, of violating the law and judicial powers. They among other things say the CJ has decided to leave some vehicles allocated to the Judiciary idle while some departments under same suffer transport challenges. The legislators made these submissions while debating the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ annual performance report and proposed budget for the 2024/2025 financial year on March 5, the Times of Swaziland reports.
King's regime seeks to arrest human rights defender
Swaziland News reports that Eswatini human rights defender Velaphi Mamber is being sought after by King Mswati’s regime to be killed. According to the report, the country is ruled by an absolute Monarch, and human rights defenders are arrested or killed for demanding democracy. Mamber was identified as an individual funding the struggle for democracy in the country due to his previous employment with the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa. Speaking to the London Times, the King’s mercenary Arno Pieenar was quoted by Swaziland news as having said the regime “has a list of human rights defenders” to be killed and Velaphi Mamba who is the Treasurer General(TG) of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) “is believed to among the list”.
AKA suspects extradition case
The extradition case of the two South African suspects Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande to face charges in their home country has been postponed to March 12. The two are facing the law over alleged involvement in the murder of musician Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known as ‘AKA’, and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. The case was postponed pending the submission of a formal application of the extradition from South African officials. The accused persons from Durban, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande (‘Nxele’) and Malusi Dave Ndimande (‘Mjay’) were arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) while hiding in a flat they rented at Zone 4 in Mbabane. The two made their second court appearance on March 3 at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court before Principal Magistrate David Khumalo, according to the Eswatini Observer.
Electricity tariff hikes
Following the increase of average electricity tariffs by 10.14 percent for the 2023/24 financial year, the power Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) has announced an 8.02 percent increase for 2024/25. ESERA announced this in a press statement informing all customers that the effective date for the tariff adjustments for 2024/25 would be April 1, 2024. According to Times of Swaziland, Mandla Ntshakala, the Chairperson of the Consumer Forum, said the electricity tariff increase was unfortunate, given the state of the economy, questioning the government’s resolve to control the situation.
Prime Minister visits institutions
Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini visited four institutions for a familiarisation tour on March 4. The institutions were Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) offices under the Ministry of Public Service as well as some properties in Mbabane, the capital. The tour began at the Ingcamu Building where he met with the Chief Executive Officer Masotja Vilakat, his executive, and the PSPF Board of Trustees chaired by Sammy Dlamini. The Prime Minister also visited new PSPF apartments in Mbabane which are near completion and the former ESASCCO building in Mbabane, the New Observer reports.
