PUDEMO SECRETARY GENERAL ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AT POPCRU MEETING
Penuel Malinga, Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), addressed the Central Executive Committee Meeting of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in Johannesburg on Thursday, reaffirming PUDEMO’s commitment to international solidarity in the fight against oppression in Eswatini. The event, attended by over 700 delegates, provided a platform for PUDEMO to emphasize the importance of global alliances in advancing democracy and human rights.
“It is my privilege to bring warm, fraternal greetings from the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the premier liberation movement in Swaziland,” Malinga began, addressing the attendees. He expressed profound gratitude to POPCRU for its consistent support and international solidarity. “The long-standing relationship between PUDEMO and the ANC-led Alliance has been an enduring source of strength and inspiration,” he added, highlighting the shared ideals of liberation and human dignity that unite the two organizations.
In his address, Malinga called for continued solidarity from POPCRU and the ANC-led Alliance, urging them to join PUDEMO in its efforts to challenge the Tinkhundla regime and advocate for democracy in Eswatini. He outlined plans for the 2025 campaign, which include reviving the Global Week of Action and re-establishing the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC). These initiatives aim to bring Eswatini’s struggle to the forefront of the global agenda, exposing human rights violations and rallying international support.
Malinga emphasized the need for targeted sanctions against King Mswati III and his regime. “King Mswati III’s lavish lifestyle, sustained through public funds, is a slap in the face of his suffering people,” he said, criticizing the monarchy’s extravagant spending on palaces, luxury cars, and other excesses while citizens are deprived of essential services like healthcare and education. He urged POPCRU to advocate for sanctions that would restrict the export of luxury goods to Eswatini and freeze royal family assets, redirecting resources toward social development.
The PUDEMO Secretary General also addressed the issue of arms sales to Eswatini, which sustain the regime’s ability to suppress its citizens violently. “Swaziland relies on external military support to maintain its oppressive apparatus. Every protest organized by PUDEMO and its allies is met with state-sponsored violence, with weapons supplied by democratic nations used against our people,” he said. Malinga called on governments worldwide to halt arms sales to Eswatini, dismantling the regime’s violent tools of oppression.
Malinga expressed gratitude to law enforcement officers who responded quickly following the poisoning of PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya, acknowledging the consistent attacks faced by Makhanya and other pro-democracy leaders from state agents and the regime. “Your solidarity and actions demonstrate the critical role of international partnerships in defending those who stand on the frontlines of the fight for freedom,” he stated.
The meeting underscored PUDEMO’s commitment to fostering international alliances as a cornerstone of its pro-democracy movement. Malinga’s call to action reinforced the shared responsibility of progressive organizations to stand together against oppression and uphold the values of justice, equality, and human dignity.
As PUDEMO prepares for its upcoming campaigns, the organization’s engagement with international allies like POPCRU highlights the importance of collective efforts in confronting authoritarian regimes. By rallying support across borders, PUDEMO aims to amplify the voices of Swazis demanding change and push for the dismantling of the structures that sustain King Mswati III’s oppressive rule. With continued solidarity, the vision of a free and democratic Eswatini remains within reach.
