Africa-Press – Eswatini. Alpheous Nxumalo’s SABC interview about the June 2021 sad events, where emaSwati were shot in cold blood, many were disfigured and left disabled, was shocking as he trivialised this tragedy.
To this end I would like to address the government spokesperson. Nxumalo was quizzed about what government was doing to bring culprits to book since the fateful event of June 2021 when emaSwati were calling for a democratic order. He said: “I don’t know about many people who died or people who were maimed. But I do know of 49 instead of 46 as cited in the report, people discovered as a result of investigations by the Human Rights Commission. The report states categorically, that people died at night as the theme of the protests was ‘kungahlwa kwenile’, which means protests would happen at night and hence that report states that it would not blame the security forces nor businesspeople as businesspeople defended their properties. For anyone to suggest that government should have brought people to book would be overzealous.”
Misquote
It is very sad that Nxumalo, whom I know as a pastor, decided to misquote the Human Rights and Integrity Commission’s report, which was made public. I have decided to share some aspects of the report. It states; “The commission verified that a total of 245 people sustained gunshot injuries: 36 of which were upper body injuries; four head injuries; 63 lower body injuries; two people had been amputated at the time of the assessment; 22 people sustained multiple gunshot injuries; and 118 people sustained unspecified injuries.
The commission at this stage could not verify if these were as a result of rubber bullets or live rounds of ammunition. Injured persons were admitted to the hospitals while a large number of them underwent operations to extract the bullets from their bodies. However, some of the victims could not have their bullets removed from their bodies, because of health related risks.
It was further established that an unknown number of casualties did not go to hospital for treatment, due to fear of arrest. Further, it transpired that some victims sustained life changing injuries as a result of the gunshot injuries and as such they use catheters, and others cannot function without support. In other cases, victims were left with permanent disabilities as a result of the injuries.”
Concerned
The commission issued a statement where it said; “It was deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest and acknowledges that this is unprecedented for the country. The commission wants to emphasise on the importance of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms articulated and enshrined in Chapter III of our Constitution, even during these times of unrest. It is essential that government actors, as key duty bearer and the custodians of the Constitution, ensure compliance with the Bill of Rights and all the international and regional instruments that have been ratified by Eswatini.
The limitations to these rights can only happen under the stipulated conditions and only when absolutely necessary.”The commission further mentioned the ‘use of unnecessary force to disburse citizens by police officials or force by armed forces on protesters and civilians; unjustified limiting of citizens’ rights to freely associate and express themselves in their different constituencies in compliance of the COVID -19 regulations; the vandalising of government, individuals’ and businesses properties by protesters and reiterated that violence is not the solution to the situation.
Protection
The commission’s press statement stated; “Commission is deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest and acknowledges that this is unprecedented for the country. The commission wants to emphasise on the importance of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms articulated and enshrined in Chapter III of our Constitution even during these times of unrest.”
The commission called for ‘joint efforts and collaboration in order to ensure solutions are at the best interest for the country and its people; facilitation of safe spaces for citizens to dialogue on the pertinent issues ensuring that they are able to exercise their right to freedom of expression and they articulate their grievances for amicable and sustainable solutions. Deliberate efforts by all involved to ensure that these concerns are systematically and holistically addressed post these dialogues’.
The commission found that human rights violations and abuses were perpetrated during the unrest. A number of people lost their lives and many people sustained injuries as a result of gunshots. Further, the assessment indicates that lethal force was used indiscriminately on protesters and members of the public who were not even part of the protests. This is demonstrated by the death of children and women. Also, victims sustained injuries in their upper bodies such as the head, abdomen and spinal area. So which report did Nxumalo read?
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