Eswatini: A Nation Where Justice is Beaten into Submission
Once again, the brutality of King Mswati’s regime has been laid bare for the world to see. The violent assault on Lot Vilakati, Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), is yet another chilling reminder of the oppressive system that rules over Eswatini with an iron fist. His only crime? Standing up for the rights of his colleague, SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini, who has been denied his rightful salary despite a court ruling in his favor.
Vilakati, along with other SNAT Executive members, went to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday to demand the government honor its obligations. Their demand was simple—pay the outstanding salaries owed to Dlamini as per the court’s order. But instead of receiving justice, they were met with ruthless police brutality. Led by Nuro Ntibane, the police unleashed violence on the union leaders, demonstrating once again that in Eswatini, the rule of law is merely a façade, and real power lies in the hands of the monarchy’s enforcers.
This attack is not an isolated incident. It is part of a well-documented pattern of state-sponsored violence against political activists, human rights defenders, and trade union leaders who dare to challenge the status quo. Under Mswati’s absolute monarchy, dissent is met with intimidation, arrests, torture, and even death. The regime thrives on repression, silencing those who dare to demand justice, democracy, and economic fairness.
Government Defies Court Orders with Impunity
The treatment of SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini exposes the monarchy’s blatant disregard for the judiciary. Dlamini was unlawfully dismissed by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) but was later reinstated by a court ruling. However, in a move that reflects the regime’s arrogance, the government has refused to comply with the court’s decision, withholding Dlamini’s rightful salary.
This is a common tactic in Eswatini, where court orders are only respected when they serve the interests of the monarchy and its cronies. If a judgment goes against the government, it is either ignored or overturned through intimidation. Recently, it was reported that Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is being pressured to reverse a ruling that awarded junior police officers a salary increase. This raises a critical question: what is the point of having courts if their rulings are disregarded?
The Police: A Tool for Oppression, Not Protection
The incident involving Vilakati and the SNAT leadership highlights the true function of the police in Eswatini—not as an institution that protects and serves the people, but as a violent arm of the monarchy. Their role is to crush dissent, silence voices of opposition, and instill fear in those who demand justice. The police do not hesitate to assault, imprison, or even kill those who challenge the system, and this lawlessness is encouraged by the very government that is supposed to uphold justice.
The irony of this latest act of brutality is that it targeted teachers—professionals dedicated to educating the nation’s youth. Instead of being treated with the respect they deserve, they were attacked for advocating fair treatment and adherence to the law. This is the kind of regime that rules Eswatini: one that fears educated citizens, silences voices of reason, and punishes those who demand what is rightfully theirs.
Eswatini’s Struggle for Freedom Continues
The assault on Lot Vilakati and the government’s refusal to pay Mbongwa Dlamini’s salary are not just isolated incidents; they are part of the broader struggle for freedom in Eswatini. This country remains one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, where power is concentrated in the hands of a single man, and the voices of the people are systematically crushed.
But the people of Eswatini are resilient. Trade unions, political activists, and human rights defenders continue to fight against the oppressive system, despite the risks involved. They refuse to be silenced, and their struggle is gaining international attention. The world must stand in solidarity with them and put pressure on the monarchy to end its reign of terror.
Justice delayed is justice denied, and in Eswatini, justice is not just delayed—it is beaten, suppressed, and ignored. But no amount of police brutality can stop the winds of change. The people’s demand for democracy, human rights, and social justice will not be silenced forever. The struggle continues, and victory is inevitable.
