ESWATINI’S WAR ON ACTIVISTS: ESCALATING HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION TACTICS
In Eswatini, the fight for democracy is met with an unrelenting campaign of harassment and intimidation directed at activists, community leaders, and human rights defenders. By October 2022, the monarchy had intensified its efforts to suppress dissent, employing increasingly aggressive tactics to silence those demanding justice and reform. The escalation of these tactics underscores the regime’s desperation to maintain control in the face of growing public outcry for change.
Activists across Eswatini have faced a wide range of repressive measures, from arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention to physical violence and surveillance. These actions are part of a deliberate strategy to create an environment of fear, where speaking out against the monarchy carries severe personal and professional consequences. For many activists, harassment begins with public vilification. The state-controlled media and government sympathizers use smear campaigns to discredit dissenters, labeling them as “un-Swazi” or accusing them of being influenced by foreign agendas. These narratives aim to isolate activists from their communities and delegitimize their calls for reform.
One of the most alarming developments has been the targeting of families. Activists’ relatives are increasingly being harassed or detained as a means of exerting pressure. In some cases, family members are interrogated or threatened, creating a ripple effect of fear that extends beyond the individual activist. This tactic is particularly insidious, as it exploits the close-knit familial structures of Swazi society to discourage dissent.
Surveillance has also become a key component of the state’s intimidation tactics. Activists report being followed, monitored online, and subjected to cyberattacks. Social media, a critical tool for organizing and raising awareness, is closely scrutinized by state actors who use digital spaces to track and harass dissenters. Online threats, hacking attempts, and the dissemination of private information are common, making the virtual realm as dangerous as the physical one.
Women activists face a unique set of challenges. In addition to the general harassment directed at all dissenters, women are often subjected to gender-based violence and threats. The intersection of political repression and societal patriarchy places women activists in an especially vulnerable position, as they face both state-sponsored harassment and the risks associated with challenging traditional gender roles.
The state’s actions are not limited to individuals within Eswatini’s borders. Activists in exile, including myself, have also been targeted through transnational repression. From surveillance and hacking to smear campaigns and threats directed at families back home, the monarchy’s reach extends far beyond the country’s borders. These tactics are designed to remind exiled activists that they are never truly safe, regardless of where they reside.
The judiciary has played a complicit role in these intimidation efforts. Courts frequently uphold charges against activists based on vague or fabricated evidence, enabling the government to imprison dissenters under the guise of legality. The misuse of repressive laws like the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA) and the Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) ensures that even peaceful activism is criminalized, leaving activists with few avenues for defense.
International organizations have documented these abuses, calling on the Eswatini government to cease its harassment of activists and uphold its human rights obligations. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned the monarchy’s actions, urging regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene. However, these calls have yet to result in meaningful change, as the regime continues to operate with impunity.
Despite these challenges, the resilience of Eswatini’s activists remains unshaken. They continue to organize, protest, and advocate for reform, often at great personal risk. Their courage serves as a powerful reminder that repression cannot extinguish the desire for justice and freedom.
As an activist in exile, I stand in solidarity with those facing harassment and intimidation in Eswatini. Their sacrifices fuel our collective struggle for democracy, and their stories must be told. The international community must do more to protect these brave individuals and hold the monarchy accountable for its actions.
Eswatini’s war on activists is a war on its own people. It is a desperate attempt to silence the voices of those who demand a better future. But repression cannot endure forever. The resilience of the people, combined with growing international attention, will ultimately break the regime’s grip on power. The struggle for democracy continues, and we will not rest until every Swazi can speak, organize, and live without fear. Together, we will prevail.
