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LEADING communists in Swaziland have been targeted in a series of police raids as the country gears up to commemorate the anniversary of a massacre by security forces.
Vigils were held across the country today to mark one year since what the Communist Party of Swaziland described as “the gruesome massacre” of “an unarmed population calling for democracy in their country.”
“Hundreds of thousands of Swazis bravely took it upon themselves to demand a better and democratic Swaziland.
“Today marks an important day of reflection on the past year and look at how far we have come as a nation in the struggle for democracy,” the communists said.
Scores of people were killed and about 400 detained during last year’s summer of protest. Security forces were deployed with “shoot-to-kill” orders by autocratic ruler King Mswati III.
Swaziland operates a so-called tinkhundla system, which, in theory, sees the devolution of state power to 55 administrative bodies that, in turn, elect one member to the house of assembly.
But in reality, the posts are appointed not elected, while political parties have been banned in Swaziland since 1973. Their reinstatement is one of the demands of the democracy protesters.
Hundreds of police officers stormed homes on Tuesday as part of a “community raid” in Matshapa, with leading communists among those targeted.
“It [was] clear that the motive was to crush the CPS and its plans to mobilise a popular commemoration of the heinous massacre of the regime in 2021,” the party said.
“As all of this unfolds, Mswati and his immediate family and puppet prime minister have left the country, leaving the army and police in control.
“As the struggle for democracy intensifies, the CPS calls for direct action winning the hearts of the majority who are oppressed and exploited by the tinkhundla system, and for international solidarity.”
The party said that “no amount of intimidation will obstruct the determination for freedom against the Mswati dynasty and his collapsing government” and called for it to be overthrown.
