This was the view of the leading opposition party in Swaziland, the People’s Democratic Movement [Pudemo] this week after the international event came to an end.

Pudemo’s statement also follows four days of intense demonstration at the border of the kingdom and inside aimed at exposing King Mswati III’s undemocratic and brutal regime to the world. In solidarity with the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), COSATU organised a successful blockade at the Swaziland/South Africa border, preventing many trucks and other vehicles from performing any economic activities between the two countries. There were also fierce demonstrations in the capital city Mbabane. A trade unionist was killed by the security forces and other demonstrators left with terrible injuries in Swazi regime’s effort to stop the actions. About ten kilometres from the conference venue in the capital city, peaceful protestors experienced a similar rage. According to local reports, the security forces ruled the city as every person on the street including hawkers were violently set upon.

A senior official at the ministry of agriculture, Ben Zwane, was shot in the neck as he was about to drive off from his workplace. According to that country’s daily newspaper, The Swazi Observer, even the clergy was not spared. Police fired a teargas canister at a lone Reverend Hanson Gwenya, a member of the Justice and Peace Committee. While King Mswati III was telling the conference that his government endorsed political and economic dialogue, his security force was engaged in "wanton violence against Swazi citizens who were peacefully expressing legitimate grievances as well as against men women and children who were not even involved in the protests"

Police have also arrested a number of people including Pudemo and trade union activist, Roland Rudd, for allegedly possessing ’explosive material’ - a can of petrol, some empty bottles and candles. Rudd was picked up from a group of protestors, beaten up and led to his car where he was shown the alleged ’explosive material’. He was subsequently locked up and further subjected to severe beatings. According to a report by The Swazi News Rudd last week showed the court the injuries he sustained and applied for bail on medical ground and fear that he may be subjected to further beatings.

He also told the presiding magistrate Lorraine Hlophe that he lost consciousness twice during the beating at the police lockup and that he was refused access to medical treatment. Despite the obvious evidence of brutality and the danger of continued detention, the magistrate refused bail.

The leader of the Swaziland Federation of Labour, Vincent Ncongwane, is also implicated in the alleged ’explosive material’ case. Although Ncongwane has not been arrested yet he has been subjected to constant police harassment and it is highly likely that he will be locked up immediately after the Smart Partnership conference. Pudemo condemned violent attacks and appealed to international organisations and governments committed to the principles of human rights and peace to join in solidarity against Mswati’s brutal regime.

"We also appeal to you to make representations to the Commonwealth to reconsider its laissez faire position on political repression in Swaziland. The organisers of the Smart Partnership International Dialogue must hang their heads in shame for colluding with a brutal regime. The decision to allow King Mswati III and his government to host the conference is morally repugnant and must be condemned with the utmost contempt. It is hypocritical of the Smart Partnership organisation to claim that its core principles are based on mutual dialogue and tolerance whilst disregarding concerns from local groups. Indeed the Commonwealth has on this occasion helped to create a situation in which peaceful protesters and innocent civilians are beaten senseless by an out-of-control militia. This situation was perfectly predictable by anyone with even the slightest knowledge about the Swazi regime. There should be no doubt now in the minds of the Smart Partnership management that the regime they are in partnership with is indeed brutal to its people".