Swazi Government Cracks Down on Opposition

UNCLAS MBABANE 000356


DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELAB KDEM PREL WZ
SUBJECT: Swazi Government Cracks Down on Opposition

REF: MBABANE 297


1. SUMMARY: The September 19 detonation of a small bomb (reftel),
which detonated early and killed two of the suspected instigators
but left no structural damage, was the catalyst for King Mswati
III's decision to make fighting "terrorism" his number one concern.
The King's choice of a new government that will be loyal to
tradition, and facilitate his crackdown on opposition forces is
apparent. On October 16, King Mswati III addressed the nation,
announced Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini as the new Prime Minister (PM),
denounced terrorism and said any necessary means should be used to
stop it. He warned progressive organizations that they will be
dealt with accordingly. He expressed anger at South Africa for not
condemning the three South Africans involved in planting the bomb.
The King encouraged the new PM to use a very firm hand in leading
the nation. On November 14, the PM issued a declaration naming four
organizations as "specified entities" under the 2008 Suppression of
Terrorism Act. At a press conference announcing this declaration,
the local media reported that Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini
warned the public about associating themselves with these now
illegal groups, which could result in prison terms of 25 years to
life. On November 15, the government arrested the leader of the
People's United Democratic Movement of Swaziland (PUDEMO),Mario
Masuku, who remains detained pending prosecution. END SUMMARY.


2. On October 16, approximately 30,000 people converged at the
Ludzidzini royal residence to witness King Mswati's announcement of
Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini as Swaziland's tenth Prime Minister (PM).
The King said those calling the bombers "heroes" will be severely
dealt with, and called for the choking or strangling of them and
their family members -- hopefully, a figure of speech. Referring to
South Africa, he said foreign countries that did not issue a
statement disassociating itself from acts by terrorists who
originated from their countries, are in effect condoning such acts.
He said the new Prime Minister has to take a strong line against
perpetrators of anarchy, and strongly condemned progressive
organizations. The King did not address the major problems facing
the nation: poverty alleviation, food insecurity, or the woefully
inadequate education and health systems.

BARNABAS SIBUSISO DLAMINI


3. PM Dlamini served as the eighth Swazi PM from July 1996 through
September 2003. Highlights of his previous term include disobeying
a court judgment, which led to the en masse resignation of Court of
Appeal judges in 2002, and ordering Parliament to approve the
purchase of a jet for the King. He eventually bypassed Parliament
and authorized the purchase of a 3.7 million USD jet, although the
transaction was never completed. Since 2003, he has served as a
member of the King's Advisory Council.

PUBLIC REACTION


4. There is little popular support for the King's speech. Private
media sources have reported that PM Dlamini is a poor choice,
stating that he is contemptuous of the rule of law and opposes
democratic principles. Leaders of radical organizations are
convinced his extreme views and actions will precipitate more
violence in Swaziland.

NEW GOVERNMENT BEGINS A CRACKDOWN


5. On November 14, PM Dlamini issued an official declaration that
four organizations were "specified entities" under the 2008
Suppression of Terrorism Act, namely: PUDEMO, Swaziland Solidarity
Network (SSN),Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO),and the Swaziland
People's Liberation Army (UMBANE). The Attorney General has also
warned the public that associating with these illegal groups can
result in prison terms of 25 years to life. Any person or group
found to be abetting, aiding, sympathizing with, sheltering or
giving any logistical support to these organizations "invites the
wrath of the law."


6. On November 15, the government arrested the leader of PUDEMO,
Mario Masuku, who remains detained pending prosecution. The
Attorney General of Swaziland, interviewed on BBC, contends that it
has evidence that Masuku falls under its legal definition of a
terrorist. Masuku's son said that police attempted to find
incriminating papers regarding how to make bombs at his father's
home. Mario Masuku has denied the all charges of terrorism leveled
against him and has declared his innocence. According to the press,
no seditious written materials were found in Mr. Masuku's possession
or home. Due to the inability of the police to locate incriminating
evidence against Mr. Masuku, on November 17, the government brought
new charges against him for, unlawfully and knowingly giving support
to continuation of a terrorist act, for "utterings" Masuku made last
September at the time of the funeral of one of the September
bombers.


7. It should be noted that the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act
was pushed through parliament before it recessed, with little
examination of its implications. The GKOS now considers opposition
groups as serious security threats to royalty and is using this Act
as a tool to eliminate certain organizations and silence
dissidents.


8. COMMENT: Dlamini's appointment, the King's speech, and
developments in the last few days are in line with local speculation
that the GKOS plans to take a harder, more militarized approach to
political opposition. The embassy is concerned that the GKOS has
reversed direction and is returning to its previous practice of
engaging in arbitrary detentions. PM Dlamini has a history of
November crackdowns. In November 2000, PM Dlamini re-introduced the
right to detain a person 60 days without trial; Masuku, his favorite
target, was subsequently arrested during a protest rally, and
eventually charged with sedition (he was acquitted in August 2002).
In November 2002, PM Dlamini told the judiciary that the King was
not obligated to abide by Court of Appeals rulings. His reward for
his hard line approach was a seat within the King's advisory body
during the last government. This does not give hope that the GKOS
will sit down to negotiate with political organizations and civil
society anytime soon.

The Ambassador will be meeting with PM Dlamini on Thursday and will
express the USG's dissatisfaction with the GKOS actions. Results of
that meeting will be reported septel.

PARKER