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GOVT’S PRIORITIES NOT IN ORDER

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Thomas Paine, a British-born political activist and philosopher, who died in 1809, in his book, the “Rights of Man”, wrote: “When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the world is my friend because I am a friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its Constitution and government.”


Why the late Paine said these brutally truthful words, is a story for another day, but those discerning enough may read between the lines?
This publication, in its last week edition, ran a story headlined ‘Seek God’s guidance Maphoyisa - PM’, reporting on the country’s government leader’s address during the Police Annual Prayer, an occasion organised by the Royal Eswatini Christian Police Association.


It is said that he pointed out to the fact that a righteous nation “ living by principles of honesty, integrity, goodness, probity, noble-mindless, respecting sanctity of human life, among other moral values, was one that was exalted and made great by God.”

country’s quest for peace
He went on to say: “Suffice that other forms of behaviour that water down the country’s quest for peace and stability to prevail and restore investor confidence, include the failure to address issues emanating from the labour value chain amicably and sincerely.”


Nice, catchy words, aptly addressed to the police service personnel, don’t you think?
Forgive me, but experience has taught me and many others out there, that be wary of whenever politicians around the world, (our very own kingdom of Eswatini inclusive), quote the Word of God in their many, grand speeches.


In fact, the wise say never trust a politician - and for good reason. More often than not, they often play to the gallery and rarely mean what they say and say what they mean. Remember how they solemnly take the oath, Bible in hand, vowing to serve God and country, only for them to turn around and do things that would shame even the devil and cause him to be green with envy?


It is now official. Last week’s intended labour protest by public servants under the Public Sector Associations (PSAs) was stopped dead in its tracks. The government, our very own Goliath, through the courts, has spoken, warning puny David to toe the line or else… - period.


Part of the judgement, as per government’s mitigation when applying to the court to stop the strike was that, should the strike take place, national security would have been threatened or something along those, monotonous, predictable words that have seen their sell-by date. Such pronunciations are more often than not designed to instil fear in the populace, causing them to cower and toe the line.


It certainly beats one’s imagination how people, respectful and docile to authority as emaSwati, could be a threat to national security? In your wildest dreams, how can people who have suffered induced fear of authority and have lived under suppressed and superficial peace for so many years compared to surrounding nations, be a threat to national peace and security; when our government never falters to use security forces to instil the fear of the devil, ruthlessly crushing any organised protest, irrespective of how legal or justified it may be?


Rumours doing the rounds prior to the stoppage of the strike were to the effect that our ‘protectors’ were undergoing intensive training in their numbers, ready to unleash their might on defenceless fellow emaSwati who were genuinely and morally seeking to demonstrate for a much deprived and long negotiated  cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) to their salaries.


Sadly, subsequent to the war talk coming from government prior to the thwarted strike and as expected, the planned protest was long designed to be frustrated and turned into a lost course by a callous government. A gallant but vain attempt by brave, aggrieved public servants for a genuine cry for redress to their plight was nipped in the bud, using Goliath’s might.


As a law abiding citizen, I cannot question the decisions of the courts, lest I fall victim of the dreaded contempt of court charges. Freedom of expression in this country is forever having an axe hovering or hanging over its neck. The late Barnabas Dlamini-era of repressive rule and judiciary influence may have been dead and buried, but its legacy lives on. Don’t fool yourself; it is going to get worse.

unique kingdom of Eswatini


The signs are there for all those discerning enough to see. This is our unique Kingdom of Eswatini and if you thought that things are done according to the moral code, you need your faculties examined and maybe confined to a psychiatric centre and immobilised under a straightjacket.


Back to the theme of my article. In light of the earlier, mentioned article concerning the PM’s address to the police during their Annual Prayer occasion, may I humbly and rhetorically pose this question? For all intents and purposes, is it morally correct and a fair application of ethical, moral or reprobate principles to deprive public servants a CoLA to their salaries for two consecutive years, when the cost of living not only in this country, but in the whole world at large, has skyrocketed exponentially?
When the prices of essential commodities are putting a stranglehold on almost everyone, with the exception of the elite who are paid handsomely and receive exorbitant perks and benefits, while the poorly paid incessantly scramble for crumbs from the rich man’s table?


Granted, we are cognisant of the fact that the fiscal challenges are not the doing of the incumbent government. But why punish the public servants for the sins and reckless spending of the previous, wasteful failures who took the country’s coffers to the cleaners? When recent expenditure by the incumbent government suggest preferential distribution of the country’s resources, while on the other hand calling for belt-tightening from a disadvantaged majority? Was it fair for the incumbent government, for example, to pay settlement allowances for incoming politicians when the opposite could have sufficed,  seeing that a clarion call was sounded that the government is ‘broke’ and stringent, cost-cutting measures were necessary to limit and control spending, until a resuscitation of the country’s fiscal challenges was realised?


Why the brunt of the cost cutting measures had to be borne by public servants who had nothing to do with the present, fiscal challenges, certainly beats the logic out of the illogical act of our government.

inhumane government


There is a saying in SiSwati that goes, “tinyembeti temuntfu atiweli phansi”. You see, no matter how long the cries of the people may take to be vindicated, I pronounce here and now that what our government is doing to her people, one day - sooner than later - the God of the universe is going to take a divine stand against this inhumane government.


The Word of God ominously tells us that ‘whatever you sow you will reap’. The seeds of hatred our authorities are persistently sowing among her people by depriving them a CoLA are one day going to come back and haunt them.
Public servants have become slaves to lending institutions, including the dastardly loan sharks, not by choice but as a result of dire financial hardships caused by the none adjustments to their cost of living. Money in this country is circulating among the elite, much to the detriment of the economy. They live the high life at taxpayers’ expense. They do not feel the pinch from high food prices, skyrocketing medical costs, school fees, bus fares etc. I tell you, the God our leadership profess to worship and who they claim ‘exalts’ them, is very protective of the worker. Depriving the worker his deserved wage, is an abomination to Him and He will not tarry to act against those who oppress His people. Divine judgement is coming to this autocratic government - mark my words.

system of governance


For too long, emaSwati have suffered under this despotic, nepotistic and patronising system of governance. If you protest against injustice, the very law enforcement agencies that are supposed to protect the people are unleashed on protesters. The independence of the Judiciary is at times questionable. When pointing out injustices, we writers are labelled as anti-authority. Truth in this country is abhorred and its carriers are viewed as inciting dissent, subversive and stoking the fires of revolution.
This country is being weighed in the heavenly, divine scales.

The sins of the leadership of this country, perpetrated on her people, are about to reach the brim of God’s cup of tolerance. The people cannot groan for so long, for so many years, with God appearing, on the surface, to be in control of human affairs and not oblivious to their cries.


Make no mistake about it, nothing escapes His roving eye. Ancient Israel was in bondage for over 400 years. They relentlessly cried for freedom. Their cries for a respite from their oppression, reached the brim of God’s cup of tolerance. He acted and there was wailing in Egypt.


The wailing is fast approaching its zenith in this country. God’s silence does not mean consent to oppression. Judgement is imminent on this country. This reality might be taken for granted. God has given our leadership a long rope to hang itself. Time will tell.
Shalom!

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