Thursday, April 14, 2016

STUDENT CAMPAIGN AFTER POLICE ATTACK



Students in Swaziland have launched a campaign in support of Ayanda Mkhabela, who was crippled when police drove at her in an armoured vehicle during a university protest.

Doctors have said Mkhabela, aged 23, would never walk again.

Launching the campaign, the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) said it wanted to ensure Mkhabela and her family were compensated for all injuries and losses incurred as a result of the incident.

Mkhabela was one of many students attacked by police at the University of Swaziland Kwaluseni campus on 22 February 2016.

The Times of Swaziland, the only independent daily newspaper in the kingdom reported at the time, ‘a Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) Operational Services Unit (OSSU) casspir drove at high speed into a group of about 2,000 students, who, when they realised that the vehicle was not stopping, ran in all directions’. 

Students from different institutions were present at the launch at the Kwaluseni campus of the University of Swaziland, along with prominent trade union members and political figures.

Swazi Police say they are investigating the circumstances of the incident, but students have called for an independent inquiry.

See also 

POLICE ATTACK VICTIM ‘WILL NOT WALK’

STUDENTS UNDER SIEGE BY ARMED POLICE

POLICE FLEE ROOMS AS POLICE ATTACK

BOYCOTTING STUDENTS CLOSE UNIVERSITY

Monday, April 11, 2016

KING ‘STEALS FROM CHILDREN’ TO BUY JET




The best-known of the prodemocracy groups in Swaziland has accused King Mswati III of stealing from children so he could have his own personal jet aircraft.

The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said the move to buy a A430-300 Airbus for E200,000 (US$13.2 million) was ‘corrupt’ and ‘insensitive’ at a time when about one in four of Swaziland’s 1.3 million population was in extreme danger of hunger because of the prolonged drought in the southern Africa region.

PUDEMO, which is banned in Swaziland where King Mswati rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, said that the US$13.2 million could have been better spent.

In a statement it said, ‘Our view is that it is corrupt, insensitive and arrogance to buy a jet when there is the crisis of drought. There are families who can’t take their children to school. There are university students who cannot afford education. There are farmers who lost everything during the drought. There is 43 percent unemployment. 

‘That money used to buy the jet can pay for 2,500 students to finish their degrees at the university from 1st year to 4th year. The same amount can pay for 42,500 children to start form one up to form five in public schools. So the king decided to steal from 45,000 children to live a luxury life.’

PUDEMO also estimated the money spent on the jet could alternatively, ‘recapitalise farmers with 20,000 new cattle and feed; or build a new fully furnished hospital; or build 40 fully-equipped clinics; or build 35 new fully-furnished schools; or build 10 tar roads in rural areas each 20km.’

The announcement that the money for the King’s jet would be paid from public funds came as Swaziland asked for international aid to help provide US$16 million in drought relief before the end of April 2016.

King Mswati lives a lavish lifestyle. He already owns a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jet aircraft that cost about US$11 million in 2010, but he considers it too small. The King also has 13 palaces and fleets of BMW and Mercedes cars.

Meanwhile, seven in ten of his subjects live in abject poverty with incomes of less than USS$2 per day.

KING BUYS JET, UN FUNDS DROUGHT RELIEF

Friday, April 8, 2016

KING BUYS JET, UN FUNDS DROUGHT RELIEF



Just as the Swaziland Government announced it would spend E200 million (US$13.2 million) of public funds on a private jet aircraft for King Mswati III, the United Nations has released US$3.14 million funding to support 95,000 Swazis hardest hit by the current drought.

In February 2016 when it declared a national emergency the Swazi Government said it did not have sufficient money to purchase food and other provisions for the estimated 300,000 people in danger of severe malnutrition. It appealed to the international community for help.

The Government estimated it would need US$16 million in aid before the end of April 2016.

The United Nations said the funding would enable the World Food Programme and UNICEF to provide food and emergency water and sanitation to the 95,000 most vulnerable people.

The European Union in collaboration with the Finnish Red Cross has already said it would donate the equivalent of US$650,000 to assist more than 21,000 people from 4,200 households with food supplies.

King Mswati III, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolution has an international reputation for his lavish lifestyle. He already owns a jet aircraft, but he considers it too small, so he will now get to an A340-300 Airbus built in 2001. It will be purchased from China Airlines in Taiwan.

The King who rules over a population of 1.3 million subjects also has 13 palaces and fleets of BMW and Mercedes cars.

Meanwhile, seven in ten of his subjects live in abject poverty with incomes of less than USS$2 per day.

See also

SWAZI MPs ABOUT-TURN ON KING’S JET

MONEY FOR KING’S JET, BUT NOT DROUGHT

$12m SPEND ON ROYAL DECOR AT AIRPORT