The general secretary of the Communist Party of Swaziland has called on several South African “progressive forces” such the ANC, Cosatu and some churches to help them in their struggle against the Swaziland government.

“We want the South African government to cut their relationship with the Swaziland government because we believe the Swaziland government is too autocratic and only the minority is enjoying the privilege. We also want them to help us in political capacity building, networking and mobilizing resources,” said the general secretary of Swaziland’s Communist Party, Mr Kenneth Kunene.

Kunene was a guest speaker during an event at the former Thohoyandou parliamentary buildings on Saturday. The event was also attended by the chairperson of the Umkhotho We Sizwe Military Veterans (MKMV), Mr Speedo Dau, the former Speaker of the Limpopo Llegislature, Dr Simon Farisani, the MEC for Roads and Public Infrastructure, Mr Jerry Ndou, and hundreds of MKMV members in Vhembe.

Kunene said that life in Swaziland is a nightmare, because the ordinary people are suffering. He accused the “autocratic ruler, King Mswati III, of stealing the wealth of the country.”

The meeting was held hardly two weeks after one of their members, Ms Ntshavheni Masithulela (48), was shot seven times at her home in Ha-Mavhunga village.

Mr Dau stated that they wanted to see military veterans employed in municipalities and in the government. “Most of our members are unemployed and they will die and be buried as paupers, but they helped to fight in the liberation of this country.”