Sechaba ka’Nkosi
On the surface, Swaziland is a peaceful country blessed with natural beauty. In recent weeks, however, its tranquillity has been shattered by protests and the brutality of its police exposed. My colleague Ruth Motau and I attended a demonstration in Mbabane on Tuesday to cover the story. We became a story in the Swazi media instead when the chief of Swazi intelligence, Superintendent Jomo Mavuso, insulted us, manhandled us and expelled us from the country. At first Mavuso ignored us and Khatu Mamaila of The Star. Perhaps, because we are black, he thought we were demonstrators. But when we wanted to know why he was harassing Justin Arenstein of Africa Eye News Service, we became his victims.
He accused South Africans of “inciting instability” in Swaziland. He promised to be our “worst nightmare”.
I tried to ask him the name of the law that gives police powers to ban meetings and he retorted: “Go ask that question in South Africa. This is not your country. It is mine, so get out now. In fact I will personally make sure you are followed everywhere you go until you cross the border.” He carried out that promise. No wonder the state television and radio have not mentioned the anger at the evictions of two chiefs. Only the alternative press carried daily reports about the plight of the victims.
If it were not for journalists such as Bheki Makhubu of The Nation, Ackel Zwane who reported our harassment consistently in The Times of Swaziland, and a young person who accompanied us wherever we went, we may not have been able to do our work in Swaziland.
We cannot divulge the name of our helper. Many people we interviewed asked that we not identify them for fear of reprisals. Superintendent Jomo Mavuso looms large in their minds. Like he does in ours.