| By admin | May 6th, 2010

4 May 2010
Quite a number of developments have dominated our media in the past five days. We therefore wish to take this opportunity to respond to these developments.

The Smart Partnership Dialogue
We are very much aware of the hype that has been created in the local media with regard to The People’s United Democratic Movement [PUDEMO] President’s invitation to the above mentioned event. An invitation extended to him by Prince Masitsela. In as much as he was invited as a private citizen, logically it becomes difficult to differentiate his private status from the organizational status in a context like this one. It is important to stress that honouring this invitation did not in anyway compromise our organizational stand and position on the on how we propose a wayforward in resolving the country’s political crisis as clearly expressed in our document called The Wayforward to a Constituent Assembly Through a Negotiated Settlement. The experience from this gathering, has shown nothing new from what is known of these gatherings. It is very clear to us that the status quo is still very far from being prepared to sit at the same table with the section of our society that is calling for constitutional multi-party democracy and tackle the real political issues affecting our country. The issues discussed and brainstormed in this gathering are not aimed at addressing the political question at hand. Nothing is negotiated  and the public as well as the international community must not be fooled yet and think there were talks/discussions on the political crisis. Just like the recently OSISA sponsored workshop on possible future scenarios in Piggs Peak, there were no discussions on how to resolve the political crisis as the public is seemingly made to believe we are now talking. Far from it. As PUDEMO, we still strongly insist on constructive, genuine and vibrant debates on national issues.
We have since 1992 called for a National Convention towards a national constitutional process which was sadly disregarded by the leadership of this country. Our principle of national dialogue is characterized by a spirit of critical, constructive broad-based and honest engagement. It is further underpinned by representative participation underscored by a conducive socio-political environment and respect for all the fundamental human rights. We shall unconditionally condemn any cosmetic pseudo talks or commissions that disregard accountability to constituencies.

WORKERS DAY
The events that unfolded on Workers Day have reinforced our view that the Swazi regime is not prepared to promote peaceful coexistence with its critics, be it as private citizens or collectively. The regime continues to arrogantly abuse human rights. Where was the logic by the state’s security agents to harass our members and barring them from being part of the celebrating workers? Since when does the state have the right to determine who and who must not attend public gatherings?
The arrogant disruption of Workers Day by the security agents is a clear indication that the regime itself is confused and deeply divided on how the political crisis can be resolved. The invitation by Prince Masitsela clearly was not known and neither approved by the state. This raises a lot of questions on the centre that holds the country’s leadership. Otherwise how does one explain the state’s instruction to harass, detain, torture and abuse our members on Workers Day? Clearly the regime has to clean its house before it can think of honestly engaging the democratic movement to forge a wayforward and resolve the country’s political crisis.
PUDEMO as an organization has always been honestly prepared and committed to nation building through all inclusive debates with the state and other members of civil society. However, the events running parallel with the above indicate that the state has a completely opposite agenda. When it suits the state, our members are called terrorists (whatever that is) and in another context become private citizens. The PUDEMO President Mario Masuku is continuously gagged; our members are constantly harassed; the Swaziland Democracy Campaign leaders are continuously detained; pro-democracy activists are always harassed and intimidated; and trade unionists who call for democratic change are viewed as enemies of the state.
In the face of this harrowing experience, we are encouraged by the workers of our country who have realized why it is important for them to remain united and strong and better position themselves to challenge the arrogance of this oppressive regime. We further call on all forums and campaigns to consolidate and intensify their work in an effort to bring about democratic change to our country.
We from now onwards, excuse ourselves from these camouflage and cosmetic meetings where individuals or organs of state are involved as they are ‘engaging’ in bad faith. Our goodwill, reasonableness and extension of an olive branch are scoffed at by the regime. The state secretly uses these to lie to the international community that we are engaging and negotiating! We now call on our membership to refrain from these so called summits and instead intensify the struggle for our people’s freedom from all angles, levels and forms. We still however, call for a peaceful transition, genuine negotiations and national dialogue with organs representing the oppressed masses of our country.

Contacts
Head of Publicity
+2687 607 3453
Manzini