Mbabane – During the Human Rights Day commemoration on Wednesday, CANGO Director, Thembinkosi Dlamini, called on national authorities to align with global standards on relocation and resettlement, particularly when major national projects require people to vacate their land.
Dlamini said it was becoming a norm for emaSwati to be dispossessed of their land to make way for national developments such as dams and other large-scale projects. He noted with concern that in many cases, people lose their land long before any meaningful conversation on compensation takes place, describing the practice as unjust and unacceptable.
He said there must be a clear benchmark outlining the conditions and processes that should be followed before communities are relocated. According to Dlamini, emaSwati are not against development; rather, they are often excluded from the discussion table when planning begins and when they are finally involved it is just to inform them that they have to give up thier farming fields to make a way for national projects.
Dlamini also questioned the circumstances surrounding the Mbondzela Farm purchase. He said it was an anomaly for the farm to be bought while dwellers were still living on it, without their involvement yet they are a major stakeholder. He criticised the situation further, noting that the new owner was now expecting government to assist with the resettlement and compensation of the affected families.
Dlamini said such practices were wrong and must be avoided to ensure fairness, transparency and respect for human rights.
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