I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO REPORT POLICE HARASSMENT - SNAT PRESIDENT

The President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Mbongwa Dlamini, says he is at a loss as to where to report harassment against him, as it is being carried out by the police. 

This follows an incident last Wednesday, when police came to his home in Ngculwini, Manzini region, without a search warrant and searched his house.

"They arrived around 5 PM and found my two boys at home. They started searching my house without a search warrant, claiming they were looking for my nephew. I'm not sure if they thought they’d find him inside a drawer, which is one of the places they searched," Dlamini said.

Dlamini was not at home during the search, which he says is the fifth instance of police harassment he has experienced.

"I called the Manzini Regional Commissioner, who claimed to have no knowledge of the search operation. He contacted various regional stations, and they all claimed ignorance. Later, they informed me that they were looking for my nephew," Dlamini explained.

Dlamini has since requested a meeting with the Regional Commissioner, noting that this is not the first time he has complained to him.

"At one point, the police burned my clothes, claiming they were clearing out the government house I used to occupy at Hemelemisi. It's systematic harassment, and I don't know where to report these things anymore because it's the same police doing this, and I've reported it in the past," he continued.

Education International has also commented on the matter, stating: "Basic human and trade union rights of SNAT leaders and members must be respected, and democratic governance must be introduced in Eswatini."

Dlamini is also the current President of the Southern African Teachers Organization (SATO).

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) previously shared with The Bridge that they do not respond to online publications, hence their comment is missing from this story.