Mmegi

A pressing human rights issue in Eswatini

I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing human rights issue in Eswatini that exemplifies the systemic abuses faced by ordinary citizens under local traditional authorities.

Our current case involves Mbongeni Mamba from Macetjeni, who has recently lost his employment at the Central Bank and is now being forced to pay a fine of five cattle. The circumstances are deeply troubling: his only “offence” was refusing to be extorted by the local water-party (Bemanti).

These are people who go about performing rituals around the country’s villages – a disturbing practice for Christians.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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