Peaceful Assembly
Eswatini authorities block protest utility tariff hike
King Mswati, Eswatini’s absolute monarch, through his sister, Regional Administrator Princess Tsandzile, blocked a planned protest to parliament in Lobamba against proposed electricity and water tariff hikes. The protest was organised by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) and was scheduled for 5th December 2024.
In a letter dated 4th December 2024, the Hhohho Regional Administrator stated that the protest would overstretch security personnel, making it unsafe. However, sources suggest the real reason was to avoid disrupting the King’s ongoing Incwala ritual ceremony (Kingship Ceremony). When questioned, Princess Tsandzile refused to address the issue directly, instead inviting journalists to attend the ritual.
TUCOSWA Secretary General Mduduzi Gina criticised the decision, stating that the Public Order Act only requires protest organisers to notify authorities rather than seek permission.
The Public Order Act continues to limit freedom of assembly, overshadowing constitutional rights as citizens are not allowed to protest or deliver petitions to the authorities.
Association
Police assault SNAT leader amid salary disputes
On 18th February 2025, Lot Vilakati, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), along with other SNAT Executives visited the Ministry of Education to demand compliance with a court order instructing the Government to settle SNAT president Mbongwa Dlamini’s outstanding wages. However, they were met with violence from rogue state police led by Nuro Ntibane at the Ministry of Education offices.
Dlamini was dismissed by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in September 2022 but later reinstated by the court in two separate judgments ordering the full restoration of his benefits.
Maxwell Dlamini, the Deputy Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), condemned the attack against Lot Vilakazi and emphasised that Eswatini is an absolute monarchy which frequently suppresses political activists, human rights defenders and trade union leaders through arrests, torture and killings. The government routinely disregards court rulings unfavourable to it, and reports indicate Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is being pressured to overturn a judgment granting junior police officers a salary increase.