THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE IS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO GRANTING OF A LOAN TO MSWATI UNLESS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET:

03 August 2011

The ANC Youth League is totally opposed to the South African government's granting of a loan to the Swaziland Monarchy because it is tantamount to giving King Mswati pocket money to squander, whilst the people of Swaziland are suffering, with no rights.

Since 1973, the Swaziland Monarchy has denied the people Swaziland basic human and political rights to dignity and organising themselves as political beings. Majority of the people of Swaziland live in absolute poverty, whilst King Mswati's kleptocracy is enriching itself and living lavish lifestyles at the expense of poor people.

The ANC government cannot therefore give the Swaziland regime pocket money to squander amidst high levels of poverty, because the recently held National General Council of the ANC expressed concern over lack of transformation, democracy and human rights in Swaziland.

The ANC government cannot therefore continue to egg walk on the Swaziland question and should boldly condemn the atrocities of the monarchy and the imprisonment of political activists.

If the money that will be given to Swaziland is meant for the poor Swaziland citizens, then the South African government should set the following conditions to the loan:

1. Immediate unbanning of political parties and release of political prisoners.

2. An immediate plan on democratisation, which includes commitment to free and fair elections, where political parties will be allowed to contest.

3. Concrete budgeting and accountability mechanism which will ensure that not even a single cent of the money lent to Swaziland goes to the King's coffers.

These are the only conditions which the ANC Youth League believes lays a firm foundation for Swaziland to be recipient of the loan from the South African government. The ANC Youth League is passionately raising these issues because we are fully aware that South Africa's freedom and political emancipation was amongst others brought by the solidarity of the international community.

South Africa cannot therefore remain silent when governments and chieftaincies, particularly neighbours of South Africa, oppress, exploit and suppress their people. At all times, the ANC YL will be the voice against injustices and will always be engaged in practical programmes to emancipate humanity from repression.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, August 3 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter