By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. Tinkhundla is not a democratic but as a product of the 1973 Decree that banned political parties, remains an authoritarian political system that promotes segregation among emaSwati, inequality and rampant corruption under a culture of impunity.
The Government is busy these implementing the rolling out of the Tinkhundla based local government, this is nothing but, an absolute ‘nonsense’ seeking to pool the wool in the eyes of the international community, no ‘political makeup’ will ever turn this regime into a democracy because it was, in the first place, established under the foundation of a dictatorship Royal Decree.
King Mswati must allow multiparty democracy, emaSwati must be allowed to elect their own government not “tintfungo” te-Ngwenyama”.
As the situation stands, emaSwati are only allowed to elect Members of Parliament(MPs) who are then turned into “tintfungo te-Ngwenyama” and one wonders if that ‘nonsense’ is called a Government.
Indeed, it cannot be democracy if Parliament as the Legislative Council or Arm of Government is turned into “tintfungo te-Ngwenyama”, Parliament must be independent and play an oversight role of holding the Executive accountable.
But under the Tinkhundla system, power is centralized around the King and Parliament is accountable to the Monarchy.
Under the Tinkhundla system, human rights defenders, political activists and even Members of Parliament(MPs) are arrested, tortured, forced into exile or even killed for demanding democracy, human rights are violated in this country and, with impunity.
The media is not independent and free under this oppressive regime and even in the midst of ritual murders, the State controlled media is used to blind the people and control the narrative, shielding the real untouchable royal ritual killers.
After the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the story was reported immediately but, there were no army helicopters and vigorous searching of the suspects.
In conclusion, let me state categorically that, I’ve been in the media for years now and therefore, well-versed with the modus operandi of the Tinkhundla system, this is a cruel and oppressive regime.
This regime is a well-organized syndicate of corrupt thieves and ritual murderers, police normally claim an investigation cannot be publicized as doing so might jeopardize the investigation.
But the so called search for a suspect who allegedly killed Tifezile Gwebu or Jericho is televised because the intention is not to enforce the law but, to capture and mislead the minds of the ordinary citizens as a cover-up so that, the public could perceive the ritual murderers as life savers.
Tinkhundla must be overthrown and replaced with a democratic system that promotes checks and balances and, the establishment of democratic institutions that promote accountability in the public administration.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
