By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:The International Criminal Court(ICC) based in Hague says evidence analysis would be conducted to determine whether it provides sufficient basis for further steps.

This is contained in a letter addressed to Ms Dlamini that confirmed a meeting between United Eswatini Diaspora(UED)Bongnkosi ‘IB’ Dlamini and officers of the International Criminal Court(ICC)ahead of a possible investigation into King Mswati’s crimes against humanity.

Mswati,an absolute Monarch stands accused of killing dozens of civilians merely for demanding democratic reforms,hundreds were tortured,shot and forced into disability.

“We hereby confirm that we will be able to receive your submission on Thursday, March 30th, 2023 at 11:00a.m in the premises of the Court(Address Oude Waalsdorperweg 10,2997 AK The Hague). Please note that the meeting is only to receive the communication and the matters related to it will not be discussed at all.As a general rule,we apply one standard to all persons submitting information to the Court; the information will be received by personnel from the Information and Evidence Unit(IEU)of the Office of the Prosecutor,who are in charge of the standards proceedings for the reception of such communications. As indicated in your communication, the delegation will be composed by the following person: Mr Bonginkosi Ignatius Dhlamini.Photographing and filming is not allowed inside the building.All information should be submitted in written and/or other documentary form(CDs,DVDs,or any other portable device.)As with any information received, it will be subject to examination by the Office to determine whether it provides sufficient basis for further steps,”reads the letter in part.

But King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane told this Swaziland News earlier that it might not be possible to take the Monarch to the International Criminal Court(ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

Responding to a our questionnaire,the King’s Spokesperson said they choose to watch how the court would conclude that the Monarch must be called aside for crimes he did not commit.

“We still believe it would be difficult for the International Criminal Court to wield the King onto the appearance in question if Eswatini is not within its jurisdiction and remains a none-member.Lastly we shall wait until evidence and exhibits linking the King to the crimes in question are shared,”said the King’s Spokesperson.

But Bonginkosi ‘IB’ Dlamini,Convenor of the United Eswatini Diaspora(UED)who visited the International Criminal Court(ICC)last week to present evidence said a warrant of arrest was issued against President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine despite the fact that Russia and Ukraine were not signatories of the Rome Statute.

“The ICC can investigate anyone in terms of international law regardless whether that country is a signatory or not.Ukraine and Russia are not signatories of the ICC but war crimes were investigated and a warrant was issued against President Putin.Being a signatory means that country is committing itself in assisting the ICC in arresting a wanted person. Akusho kutsi nawungasiyo signatory utobulala bantfu nje ungentiwa lutfo,Mswati utawuboshwa nje kahle(meaning:It doesn’t mean that if you are not a signatory, you will just kill people without being held accountable, Mswati will be arrested,”said the UED Convenor.