The African National Congress (ANC) Woman’s League and Congress of South African Students (Cosas) on Friday called on King Mwatsi III to return the three girls allegedly abducted by the king to the care of their parents immediately.
Zena Mahlangu (18) and two 17-year-old girls were allegedly abducted by the King after a traditional reed dance in Swaziland.
ANC Woman’s League representative Lulu Xingwane said the woman’s league supported and respected cultural and religious practices as long as they were not harmful and did not violate women’s rights or dignity.
Xingwane said the traditional practice of the reed dance was a violation of the United Nations convention of the rights of a child and the UN convention for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
She also said that Swaziland was a member of the African Union (AU) and should follow the AU’s principles of good governance, democracy and human rights.
”We believe this abduction hinders the girls’ personal development and growth as well as the empowerment and emancipation of women on the continent,” Xingwane said.
The call to release the girls was echoed on Friday by the Congress of South African Students (Cosas).
Cosas representative Julius Malema said his organisation was appalled by the king’s selfish behaviour under the guise of the tradition of the reed dance.
”The attitude of the king in this whole matter smacks of promiscuous behaviour and arrogance,” he said.
Cosas called on all ”right-minded human beings” to condemn and take action against the king’s undemocratic behaviour.
”Zena Mahlangu deserves better and she must be protected from the animalistic, self-centred behaviour of the king of Swaziland,” Malema said. – Sapa