National

UN rights chief urges ‘impartial’ probe after Eswatini killing

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2023

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BY STAFF REPORTER

The United Nations human rights chief has called on Eswatini to swiftly and impartially investigate the brutal killing of prominent opposition politician and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

“Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for many who couldn’t speak up for themselves,” Volker Turk said in a statement on Monday.

“His cold-blooded killing has deprived Eswatini, southern Africa and the world of a true champion and advocate for peace, democracy and human rights.”

Maseko was shot through the window while he was inside with his family, the spokesman said.

In his statement, Turk called on the Eswatini authorities “to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigation is held into his killing… and to hold all those responsible to account in fair trials”.

Maseko, a leading human rights lawyer and columnist, was the founder of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) – a coalition of opposition parties, associations and churchesIn 2014, he was jailed for contempt of court over articles critical of the government and judiciary, but was acquitted on appeal and released a year later.

And he had a pending court battle with King Mswati III over the monarch’s decision to rename the country Eswatini by decree.

The country’s name was changed from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain in 2018.

Maseko’s position was that the king had not followed the constitution in the process.

And at the time of his death, he was the legal re presentative for two members of parliament facing trial for offences allegedly committed during the civil unrest that rocked Eswatini in 2021, according to the UN rights office.

Maseko’s death came just hours after the king challenged activists fighting to end Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

“People should not shed tears and complain about mercenaries killing them,” King Mswati had said.

In addition to calling for an investigation of Maseko’s death, Turk demanded on Monday that the Eswatini authorities “ensure the safety and security of all Eswatini people, including human rights defenders, journalists and political activists and protect civic space”.

Meanwhile, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the death of Maseko, denouncing murders Africa as a breeding ground for murders and violence following the killing of Swaziland human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

“My sincere condolences to Eswatini and Thulani Maseko’s family.

“A leading Swaziland human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist was shot dead at his house and died on the spot. Africa cannot be a breeding ground for murders and violence.

“Cowards and rogues cannot stand good men. Rest In Peace comrade,” Chamisa tweeted.

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa director Siphosami Malunga also denounced the gruesome murder of Maseko..

“Bambulele! They killed him!” he said.

“But not his ideas, not his passion, Not his desire for freedom and democracy for his country and people!

” That they have turned into a raging force which will consume them… one day soon, they will face justice for this cowardly crime… “TRT World /VicFallsLive

National

Zimbabwe’s economy to defy drought odds, says Fin

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In his midterm budget presentation for 2024 , Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube outlined the government’s fiscal strategy to navigate the challenges posed by the El-Nino induced drought, while maintaining a stable economy.

“The fiscal policy thrust and macro-fiscal framework of the approved 2024 National Budget remains unchanged under the theme ‘Consolidating Economic Transformation’,” Minister Ncube stated on Thursday at the National Assembly.

Despite the drought’s impact, the government’s priority is to “alleviate the impact on vulnerable households and the economy, as well as ensuring that the economy emerges stronger and more resilient going forward.”

Minister Ncube emphasized the need to address the elevated food assistance needs of citizens, while maintaining a stable economic environment.

The introduction of the ZiG currency in April 2024 has brought “relatively stable prices and exchange rate stability,” according to Ncube.

To maintain this stability, the government will implement supportive tax and expenditure policies to increase demand for the local currency, complemented by monetary policy that manages market liquidity.

Looking ahead to the end of the year, Ncube outlined measures to protect the domestic currency and restore macro-economic stability. “Containing expenditure pressures and major expenditure heads such as the wage bill and debt servicing will be critical in order to avoid monetising the budget deficit,” he cautioned.

The re-calibrated 2024 Macro-Fiscal Framework projects revenues of ZiG93.2 billion (22% of GDP) and expenditures of ZiG98.8 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of ZiG5.6 billion (1.3% of GDP).

Despite the drought, Ncube expressed optimism, stating, “The current stable economic environment, together with economic transformation and diversification underway, is expected to enable the economy to register positive economic growth of 2%.”

National

Police refute claims of inciting violence at ZINASU gathering

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Admin

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted allegations that they had sparked violence at the ZESA Training Centre in Harare, where 44 Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) activists were arrested on Wednesday morning.

“The Police were only called in after violence erupted amongst the ZINASU group,” ZRP spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said on X.

“The violence led to the destruction of ZESA and State property,”he added.

“As a result, Police were called in to come and maintain law and order. This is on record and can be confirmed by ZESA officials.”

The press statement was released after the human rights lawyers and civic organizations took to social media to condemn the police, alleging that they had instigated the violence.

ZINASU reported that the police, violently disrupted the ZINASU General Council Meeting at 10:00 am at ZESA National Training Center.

Most of the students were brutally assaulted and some were arrested and take to Harare Central Police Station.

Hours later, they updated the public that the students arrested were to be released on fine, but President Emmanuel SiTiMaH was taken into CID custody, amid calls for his immediate release.

But the ZRP stood firm, dismissing these claims and emphasizing that their sole objective was to maintain law and order.

“We appeal to civic organizations to verify with Police before issuing statements or raising unsubstantiated allegations,” Nyathi said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there are laws to be observed in the country and anyone who engages in acts of violence and destruction of property will be brought to book.”

Police did not disclose the whereabouts of the 44 and the ZINASU President.

National

Developing: ZINASU students under siege

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Admin

BY STAFF REPORTER

Disturbing reports emerging from Zimbabwe, where students attending a Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) General Council meeting at ZESA National Training Center were allegedly beaten, injured, and arrested by riot police.

Image: ZINASU

“Students gatherings have become a taboo in this country, students are suffocating as we speak‼️Students are not free”ZINASU shared on X.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project notes students also received suspicious calls from unknown numbers.

ZINASU a united front of Zimbabwean students, dedicated to the socio-economic advancement of students and the liberation of students from all forms of exploitation and oppression.

More to follow…