‘Terrorism Act a threat to the Smart Dialogue’

MBABANE – Labour unions and civic organisations fear that the upcoming Smart Partnership National Dialogue’s success could be hindered by the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

The groups are of the view that participants of the dialogue would not be guaranteed the fundamental human right of freedom of speech because of the law that has attracted much controversy both locally and internationally since it came into existence late last year.

Secretary General of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) Jan Sithole said participants with dissenting views risked being victims of this law.
Sithole alleged that the condition set by Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini that there should be no demands made during the dialogue, was an indication that the dialogue was just an act.

“The forthcoming Smart Partnership Dialogue is a farce even before it starts, following the condition that there should be no demands, yet evolution itself is a result of demand for change,” Sithole said.

He went on to state that: “Dialogue is not a church service where we all listen to the Man of God and say Amen, but it is a forum where people want answers and solutions to problems and find a way forward after free unconditional expression without fear of repression or suppression”.

He further questioned: “What if somebody says things we say in our May Day activities, will they not be victims of the Suppression Act?
“In the presence of the Suppression Act and the intended civil servants Bill who will express themselves freely in such a dialogue?”
On the other hand, the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisation (SCCCO) said if freedom of speech was not guaranteed during the dialogue then chances of the talks being a success were next to zero.

SCCCO coordinator Musa Hlophe said the Terrorism Act was aimed at stifling people with dissenting voices and therefore posed a threat to people who have a different view to the status-quo.

“If freedom of speech and association are not guaranteed during the dialogue then people who have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s development might be discouraged from being part of the deliberations because they would not want to be seen to be praising the status quo,” Hlophe said.
The dialogue is set to take place on  July 20-21 at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini.