SWAYOCO PRESIDENT LEADS SUPPORT FOR GEGE RESIDENTS FACING DEMOLITIONS AND ARRESTS

Sakhile ‘Awviva’ Nxumalo, President of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), the Youth League of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), led a team of activists to Nhlangano Magistrates Court on Friday to show solidarity with Mciniseli Nhleko, a senior resident of Gege whose home was demolished earlier this week. Nhleko was assaulted and arrested by police after protesting the destruction of his property.

The demolitions, allegedly orchestrated by politically connected businessmen and Taiwanese investors, have left hundreds of Gege residents homeless. Nhleko’s ordeal began when a TLB, driven by an unidentified individual, invaded his property and demolished his home. When he raised his voice in opposition, he was reportedly beaten and detained by police under orders to suppress dissent.

Nxumalo’s presence at the court underscored the growing support for Gege residents from Eswatini’s pro-democracy and human rights organizations. Members of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) also attended the court proceedings in a show of solidarity with the persecuted residents. Speaking outside the court, Nxumalo reaffirmed his commitment to standing with the people of Gege against the injustices they are facing.

The demolitions are reportedly linked to a group of politically connected individuals, including businessmen Tito Dlamini and Sandile Simelane, as well as Taiwanese investors allegedly owning Farm 22. Residents claim these parties are forcibly evicting families to seize land for profit. Police have been accused of enabling the evictions and suppressing resistance through intimidation, assault, and arrests.

For the residents of Gege, these demolitions represent more than just the loss of their homes—they are a violation of their dignity and rights. Many have ancestral ties to the land, having lived there for generations. The destruction of their homes and the accompanying brutality have drawn widespread condemnation from pro-democracy movements and civil society groups.

Eswatini, ruled by King Mswati as an absolute monarchy, has long been criticized for its human rights violations and systemic exploitation of its citizens. The events in Gege highlight the monarchy’s failure to protect its people from exploitation by politically connected elites and foreign interests. Instead, police and state institutions appear complicit in the suppression of dissent and the perpetuation of injustice.

Nxumalo, who has consistently spoken out against the monarchy and its enablers, described the actions in Gege as an extension of the regime’s disregard for its citizens. “This is the face of Tinkhundla capitalism,” he said. “The system is designed to enrich the few while trampling on the rights and livelihoods of ordinary Swazis. But the people are waking up, and we will not stop fighting until justice is served.”

The presence of CPS members at the court further highlighted the unity among Eswatini’s pro-democracy movements in resisting the monarchy and its allies. Their solidarity with Nhleko and the displaced residents sends a clear message that the struggle for justice extends beyond individual cases—it is a collective fight against a system that prioritizes profit and power over people.

As tensions in Gege continue to escalate, calls for accountability and reform are growing louder. Activists and human rights defenders are demanding an immediate halt to the evictions and demolitions, as well as an independent investigation into the actions of the businessmen and police involved. The plight of Gege’s residents has become a rallying point for broader demands for democratic change in Eswatini.

The courage of leaders like Nxumalo and the resilience of the Gege community serve as powerful reminders of the strength of the pro-democracy movement in Eswatini. Despite the risks, they continue to stand up against injustice, driven by a shared vision of a country where every citizen’s rights are respected and protected. The struggle for Gege is far from over, but it is a critical chapter in the broader fight for a just and democratic Eswatini.