Mbabane – Human rights organisations in Eswatini have lodged formal complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Chief Justice’s Office over the reinstatement of government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, who still has pending court cases.
The Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) and other rights advocates argue that Nxumalo’s reinstatement undermines the rule of law and women’s rights. SWAGGA Director Nhlanhla Dlamini said the move was deeply troubling and signalled that government institutions were failing to uphold justice.
“We feel the law in our country has turned a blind eye. What worries us most is that this concerns the government’s own spokesperson. From our point of view, the matter should have gone before a court first, but that didn’t happen,” Dlamini said.
She added that the constitution requires that anyone facing charges must first appear in court before being reinstated to a government position.
“We are beginning to see that the country of Eswatini does not take issues of abuse seriously,” he said.
Another rights activist, Justice and Law Initiative’s Lomcebo Dlamini, also condemned the decision, calling it a violation of justice and a setback for legal reform.
“It’s painful that there are people who want to destroy the rule of law. Some even want the law to stop functioning,” she said.
Lomcebo further questioned the government’s delay in passing the Legal Aid Bill, first introduced in 2012, which seeks to ensure that citizens have access to free legal representation. “Why hasn’t it been passed? I call on the Chief Justice. What do you say when the nation is in such pain? Please intervene,” she pleaded.
The Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed receiving the complaints, saying the matter is under review. Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission asked for more time to look into the issue but had not provided feedback by the weekend. Repeated follow-up calls went unanswered
Discussion about this post