SWAZILAND RURAL WOMEN’S ASSEMBLY (SRWA) STATEMENT
The Swaziland News online platform on the 16 of July 2024 revealed shocking details of rape allegedly done by the country’s head of state, article written by Mr Zweli Martin Dlamini. SRWA does not take kindly such acts / news and unapologetically call for redress in the form of publicly distancing through any means by the head of state named to be a perpetrator of rape or face the arm of the law.
It is reportedly that Sivikelwe Mjongile who is related to the king approached him in hope of finding scholarship only to find herself raped and silenced with money amounting to E100000 which was said is going to help with her studies. The 17 year old experienced this at the comfort of close family relative which is a common occurrence among many rape victims in our society and go unpunished as it is usually regarded as family dirty linen (tibi tendlu) in our vernacular language.
This is not a first allegedly rape case associated with royalty and records show that such cases stubbornly rejects the long arm of the law as police walk around them like a cat walking around hot porridge. This acts tarnishes the image of the country, undermines national and global calls to end Gender Based Violence and subsequently shows non commitment attitude to those partnering with the country in this fight.
On another note, Sicandvulo Sabo Make would like to come forth condemning this controversial ‘supposed’ cultural habits on behalf of all women concerning the recent actions of King Mswati III in taking 21 year old Zuma’s daughter to be his Liphovela. Also taking into account the alleged statutory rape of Sivikelwe who had gone to his aid in need of a scholarship.
Sicandvulo sabomake recognizes that the adult consenting age is that of 21 years. However we are concerned as an organization on the matter of the age gap although between the King (56) and Zuma’s daughter (21). A woman of 21 years of age may be legally consenting, however, is still at a fragile age in which she may most likely, still need to develop socially, pursue her own values and build a strong foundation in their sense of self. It is with these kinds of arrangements where Gender Based Violence most likely occurs, regardless of social class.
Sicandvulo Sambomake calls Msawti III; King to the nation, Husband and Father, to lead by example and protect women and girls instead of endorsing Gender based Violence. If the King himself is a perpetrator, how will his nation heal from the deafening scars caused by Gender Based Violence?
We also call on to families of young girls and women to protect and promote the rights of their daughters, to give their daughters the choice to make their own life decisions, form their own sense of self and to recognize that females are individuals and not objects whom are subjected to pleasing the patriarchal system which its morally bankrupt practices etc.
Finally, we call on the nation of Swaziland to realize that we now live in a world where women, young women and girls are recognized as human beings who are protected by laws and promote them in their communities as women play a vital role in the development of our society, thus; should be seen and treated as such.
ENDS.
