MBABANE: Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, a human rights lawyer says the Swaziland Liberation Movement(SWALIMO) risks being declared a terrorist entity after a leaked audio where alleged underground operations were discussed.
Mswati’s government declared the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) a terrorist entity in 2008 after some fighters linked to the movement attempted to bomb the Lozitha Bridge.
Speaking to this Swaziland News on Friday, the lawyer said it was very unfortunate that in eSwatini it’s easy to be labelled a terrorist because of its broad definition in the Supression of Terrorism Act of 2008.
“It’s a very sensitive audio considering the fact that SWALIMO wants to participate in elections. But we must look it in the broader context, if Government decides to proscribe SWALIMO, it’s members can still participate in the Tinkhundla elections as individuals. The problem might arise if both the entity and some of its members are declared terrorists, then it would be hard for them to participate,” said the human rights lawyer.
Executive members of SWALIMO were recorded or spied by Stones ‘Agent 001’ Mabuza who was allegedly in charge of the movement’s proposed military wing, he then leaked the audio to the State security agency.
But on Thursday, SWALIMO released a statement distancing the movement from Stones Mabuza’s alleged underground activities.
In the audio, Mabuza said he tried to train some youth to take-up arms against the Government but his group was subsequently disrupted by certain challenges.
This was after Dr Siphetfo Dlamini, the SWALIMO Secretary General asked Mabuza how far he had gone with the underground project.
The online meeting was attended by among others, SWALIMO Chairperson Busie Mayisela and Secretary General Dr Siphetfo Dlamini.
“SWALIMO wishes to disassociate itself from any involvement in combat or violent means to attain democracy. SWALIMO can confirm that Mabuza (Umshengu or Agent 001) is a former member and leader based abroad who was pursuing SWALIMO to join his underground activity and eventually agreed to leave the movement to pursue his ambition of fighting for the liberation on his own means because the movement had rejected his requests. As such we disassociate ourselves from any combat activities and/or those of Mabuza.
As a movement we maintain our belief on peaceful means to attain freedom and democracy. To an extent that on the 6th September 2022, the SWALIMO leaders meeting reiterated its position and resolution to this effect. Hence, all the leaders are very clear on this position of fighting through peaceful and legal means to be able to also fulfil our objective to educate, mobilise and liberate.The Movement is currently looking forward to the national dialogue to address the country’s political and economic reforms.On this note, we encourage all Swazi people to be resilient and continue the fight for their birth right of justice, freedom and democracy,” reads the statement released by Spokesperson Thandaza Silolo.
SWALIMO Chairperson Busie Mayisela.