actsa news summer 2013

SUMMER 2013 / ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE AND SWAZILAND / PAGE 1

SUMMER 2013

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ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE AND SWAZILANDJUSTICE FOR EX GOLD MINERS

The articles in ACTSA News do not necessarily represent any agreed position of ACTSA itself.

EDITOR/ Joey Greene

FRONT COVER/ Zimbabwe Polling Station. Credit- ACTSA

LAYOUT/ Do Good Advertising

ADDRESS/Action for Southern Africa231 Vauxhall Bridge RoadLondonSW1V 1EH

TEL/020 3263 2001

EMAIL/ [email protected]

WEBSITE/ www.actsa.org


WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF ACTSA NEWSIn the summer issue of ACTSA News we focus on democracy in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, two southern African countries known for their troubled track records in relation to freedom, rights and justice, as they prepare for upcoming elections. With growing reports of tensions and human rights abuses in the run up to the polls, it looks unlikely that SADC’s guidelines for free, fair and credible elections will be met. We discuss the impact that these elections are likely to have on both countries.

On 29 June 2013 ACTSA marked the centenary of the birth of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston with a service celebrating his life at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. In this edition of ACTSA news we reflect on his life and look at the key role he played in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the legacy that his work has left us today.

There is also an update on the latest from our Justice for the Miners campaign as the battle to win compensation for former South African miners suffering with silicosis continues. ACTSA’s campaign supports former miners who worked in appalling and dangerous conditions under apartheid and contracted the devastating lung disease silicosis. ACTSA is supporting the call of National Union of Mineworkers South Africa and others for decent compensation and healthcare for all those suffering from silicosis and their families.

ACTSA’s AGM will take place on 9 November, at The Human Rights Action Centre, Amnesty International, in London. If you would like to attend please email [email protected] for papers and more information.

We are also delighted to announce that tickets for ACTSA’s fundraising dinner are now on sale. The dinner will take place on the 29 November 2013 at South Africa House. We invite you to buy your tickets online or email [email protected] for more details.

Thank you for your continued support.

Joey Greene, Fundraising and Communications Officer

note from the editor

newsTENSIONS RISE IN MOZAMBIqUE Mozambique’s civil war ended over 20 years ago but it appears that tensions are once again rising between Renamo, the country’s main opposition party, and Frelimo, the ruling party. On 20 June, Renamo followed through on its threats to block road traffic between the Save river - cutting across Mozambique and dividing the north and south of the country. On 21 June gunmen opened fire on vehicles along the targeted route, killing two and injuring five people. Renamo’s information chief has been arrested for inciting violence and civil disorder. Frelimo offered talks, but the two sides failed to agree on the demilitarisation of Renamo, one of Frelimo’s conditions for talks. Meanwhile, some of Renamo’s demands are also being discussed in parliament, though given that parliament is heavily dominated by Frelimo members (Frelimo holds 191 of the 250 seats), it remains to be seen if the political impasse will be broken. Tensions between Renamo and Frelimo have been increasing steadily since October 2012, when Renamo’s president, Afonso Dhlakama, along with 800 ex-guerrilla fighters returned to their former civil war base in Gorongosa Game Park stating that the Mozambican government had failed to meet Renamo’s demands, such as electoral reforms and the wider distribution of wealth from the country’s mineral resources.

NELSON MANDELA IN HOSpITALNelson Mandela remains in a critical condition, after he was hospitalised at the beginning of June, with a recurring lung

infection. It is the fourth time he has been admitted to hospital since December. President Jacob Zuma said “We must support him and support his family. We must demonstrate our love and appreciation for his leadership during the struggle for liberation and in our first few years of freedom and democracy by living out his legacy and promoting unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and prosperity in our country”. Nelson Mandela will be 95 on 18 July, a day celebrated around the world as Mandela Day. People are encouraged to volunteer 67 minutes of their time to take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day. Those in South Africa are being encouraged to make it ‘the biggest Mandela Day ever’. For more information about how you can mark Mandela Day visit www.actsa.org

ANGOLA: CRACKDOWN ON pROTESTS CONTINUEAuthorities broke up a vigil on Luanda’s Independence Square on 27 May and detained 12 protestors who were commemorating the anniversary of the disappearance of two activists a year ago. Police reportedly used excessive force against approximately 30 protestors, beating a number of them. On 15 June several thousand people took to the streets in Cafunfo, Cuango province, to protest against the recent murders of a number of women farming land bordering a major diamond concession in the area. 31 people were arrested following the demonstration, including several members of Social Renovation Party (PRS), which had organised the demonstration. In a rare television interview President dos Santos downplayed the recent protests saying “Shortly after the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt and the conflict in Libya, they tried, here too, to incite the youth to hold big protests... but the truth is, it did not stick because most of the population understands the government’s efforts.”



Zimbabwe will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on 31 July 2013.

The presidential election run off in 2008 witnessed great violence. The regional body, the South African Development Community (SADC) said that the election did not meet SADC principles and guidelines for democratic elections. This led to an agreement to form an inclusive government. It has been a form of power sharing but one in which the institutions of the state, i.e. the army, police, have been partisan in support of one political party. On the positive side, since the formation of the inclusive government rampant inflation which led to the Zimbabwe dollar becoming worthless has been reduced to single figures, violence and intimidation, although still present, has reduced from the level of 2008, and a new constitution was recently approved. However, laws which prevent organisation, mobilisation, and access to state, or in reality one party dominated media, remain in force and will now almost certainly be in place for the election. Many see the continued existence of such laws as a denial of democracy.

Civil society in Zimbabwe is calling for Zimbabweans to have the right to vote freely for whom they wish; an accurate and up to date voter roll; fair access to and coverage by state controlled media, impartiality by institutions of the state; domestic election observers and truly independent external election observer missions in place well before the election.

Across southern Africa and internationally many want Zimbabwe to “move on” so it is no longer an issue on SADC’s agenda and the EU and others are not raising issues of human rights and democracy, accountability and transparency on issues such as diamond revenues. But could this wish for Zimbabwe to “move on” lead to elections which are not democratic, which are rigged so there is one outcome being called okay by the regional body and that view accepted internationally? SADC after all did call the 2002 and 2005 elections okay when to many other observers they clearly did not meet any norms for democratic elections. If expediency is seen to trump democracy then there will continue to be issues of legitimacy. Zimbabwe wants to move on but not at any price.

spotlight

ZIMBABWE- COULD EXPEDIENCY TRUMP DEMOCRACY?

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ARCHBISHOp TREVOR HUDDLESTON: CENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH

15 June 2013 marked the centenary of the birth of one of key figures in the struggle against apartheid, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.

The Anglican monk in the Community of the Resurrection was sent to South Africa in 1943 to take over the running of the Anglican mission in Sophiatown and Orlando. He was responsible for overseeing the largest school for black children in Africa, St Cyprian’s, as well as St Peter’s School, whose alumni include Oliver Tambo, Jonas Gwangwa, Hugh Masekela, Zakes Motau, Fikile Bam, and many other influential figures in South Africa.



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ARCHBISHOp TREVOR HUDDLESTON DEDICATED MUCH OF HIS LIFE TO THE STRUGGLE AGAINST ApARTHEID. HE INSpIRED THOUSANDS OF pEOpLE IN BRITAIN AND BEYOND TO CAMpAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY, DIGNITY, EqUALITY AND RIGHTS

Influenced by his faith and the struggles of life in apartheid South Africa he had witnessed, Huddleston became a key voice denouncing apartheid.

By the spring of 1955, as forced evictions got underway, Huddleston played an instrumental role in the resistance. His dynamic and vocal protests often caused a stir; he was continually harassed and he was followed everywhere he went by the police. Although Huddleston was never actually arrested his superiors began to fear that his life was in jeopardy. That same year Huddleston was diagnosed with diabetes and fears that he might be imprisoned without proper medical treatment, or deported, led to his being recalled to Britain.

After 12 years of living in Sophiatown Huddleston was devastated at the prospect of parting with the people and place he cared so deeply for and is quoted as having said “I am in the process of dying”, such was his anguish at being forced to leave Sophiatown.

On returning to England in 1956 he published ‘Naught for Your Comfort’, a seminal work on the effect of apartheid and his opposition to racism. As Bishop of the Masasi (Tanzania), Bishop of Stepney, Bishop of Mauritius and Primate of the Indian Ocean he continued to play a leading role in the struggle against apartheid. In 1959 Archbishop Huddleston, along with others, launched the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) in the UK and served as its Vice President 1961 to 1981 and President 1981 to 1994.

Archbishop Trevor Huddleston dedicated much of his life to the struggle against apartheid. He inspired thousands of people in Britain and beyond to campaign for democracy, dignity, equality and rights. As South Africa prepares to mark 20 years of freedom, we should celebrate the role that Trevor Huddleston and others played and be inspired by their example to be active, to play our role and support the people of southern Africa as they work for a better future.

We should be inspired to continue working for equality, justice, democracy and rights today. We can ensure that the example and commitment of Archbishop Trevor and others motivates and sustain solidarity with the people of southern Africa and all those around the world who still suffer from inequality and discrimination.


Under apartheid many, mainly black, gold miners worked in appalling conditions with little or no protection from lethal silica dust. As a result tens of thousands contracted silicosis. It is an incurable and debilitating illness and many sufferers develop TB, and the combination of the two can be lethal. Those diagnosed with silicosis, which is the minority, due to lack of access to decent diagnostic health care, receive little compensation because the compensation scheme in mining is less than for other industries, presumably because it is such a dangerous occupation employers wanted to limit what they pay, and compensation is linked to pay and of course black South Africans received much lower pay than white mineworkers. But many although suffering from silicosis are not diagnosed, they live in rural areas in the Eastern Cape, in Lesotho and elsewhere and health facilities are limited. Court cases began in 2004 to seek decent compensation for the ex gold miners suffering from silicosis.

Due to the slowness of the South African legal system, and because Anglo

American plc is registered in London, and because in England in this case legal costs would not be part of and therefore reduce any compensation, a court case has been taken up in London. A decision is expected by the end of July on whether the case comes within English court jurisdiction. Whatever the judgment, it is likely to be appealed and other legal avenues followed. ACTSA’s case is not a legal but a moral one. Tens of thousands of ex gold miners are suffering from silicosis and receive very low or no compensation. That is wrong. They developed silicosis from their work in the gold mines. Those who owned, controlled and benefited from South Africa’s gold should provide decent compensation and health care without delay. A number of those who began court cases have died. Justice delayed is justice denied. Instead of spending millions in lawyers fees the mining companies should state now that they will significantly increase compensation and greatly improve access to health diagnosis and care.

JUSTICE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINERS

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SWAZILAND: A UNIqUE FORM OF DEMOCRACY?

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Swaziland is preparing to hold elections in August and September for the country’s parliament, but they are not any ordinary elections. Members will be elected to a House of Assembly with very little power, under a system which fails to stand up to regional and international standards for free and fair elections.

Elections in Swaziland take place in three stages. At the nominations stage each chiefdom nominates between four and 10 nominees. This process is strictly controlled by local chiefs, who are able to vet candidates and ensure only those supportive of the regime get through to the next stage. Nominees then enter the primary election (24 August), in which each chiefdom elects a single candidate to enter the secondary election (20 September). At this stage candidates stand for election in each of Swaziland’s 55 constituencies or tinkhundla. Those who are successful (often those from larger chiefdoms) will become members of the House of Assembly.

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In a system where political parties are banned and those who are elected have no real say over policy, elections tend to be based on patronage and access to state resources. In reality the electoral system is just a façade to kid Swazis and the world that it is a ‘unique form of democracy’. Swaziland’s power lies firmly in the hands of King Mswati III, advised by the powerful Liqoqo (advisory council), which is made up of traditionalists committed to the status quo. He has the power to select the cabinet, two thirds of the Senate, ten members of the House of Assembly, judges and heads of government offices. Legislation requires his consent to become law.

Swaziland has a dual system of governance, the ‘modern’ system coexists with a traditional system of unwritten laws and customs, which governs the everyday life of most of the population. Swazi law and custom is administered by chiefs, who have extensive powers over the administration of land and the law. They too are directly accountable to the King.

As Swaziland’s people are driven deeper into poverty and the inequality between rich and poor becomes starker, disillusion with the current system is growing. The movement to boycott elections is gathering strength and the regime seem even more determined to keep up the image that there is popular support for this ‘unique form of democracy’. The government has been doing all it can to get as many people registered to vote as possible, whilst stamping down hard on anyone who supports the boycott or questions the current system.

In March 2012 the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOWA) met for its inaugural conference. They passed policy to boycott the elections unless there was reform. The government responded by deregistering the Congress, effectively declaring it an illegal organisation. Since then it has been prevented from holding meetings and events and has faced constant harassment from the authorities.


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This year attempts to silence the pro democracy movement have become more intense. On 16 February a prayer meeting, organised by pro-democracy activists and held at Swaziland’s Catholic Cathedral, was broken up by police. About 60 armed police raided the prayer meeting in Manzini, telling those praying they had seven minutes to leave the Cathedral. Another prayer meeting organised by trade unions in the Catholic Church’s Caritas Centre in Manzini was also blocked by police in March. The government said it couldn’t go ahead because TUCOSWA is not a legal entity.

When people have tried debating the current system of government they have been blocked. In April police barricaded a restaurant when they heard that a debate about the elections would be taking place inside. They said it was a ‘threat to state security’. A week later when the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) tried to hold a rally to discuss the election boycott, the organisers were arrested and charged with sedition. Another political activist was charged with sedition for allegedly being in possession of leaflets belonging to the banned political party PUDEMO. At the beginning of May police placed union and political leaders under house arrest to stop them appearing at May Day rallies.

The government has been hard at work getting Swaziland’s 600,000

eligible voters registered. The Elections and Boundaries Commission set up registration centres up and down the country, mobile phone operator MTN gave away free caps and t-shirts to those who registered, state sponsored rumours spread that those who did not register would not have access to land, work or public services and ministers have been busy giving out food hampers, blankets and even cash to potential voters in their constituencies. Despite this pressure the boycott campaign is gathering momentum. Two days before the registration process was due to end the King announced it would be extended for a week as only 57.4 per cent of eligible voters had signed up. Registration is expected to be significantly lower than the last election in 2008.

Swaziland’s government is clearly getting worried about the growing pro democracy movement. Refusing to register to vote in rural Swaziland takes a great deal of courage, particularly when life is so strictly controlled by the traditional authorities. At the end of June Matsapha International Airport took in a massive delivery of weapons and ammunition. Many are deeply concerned why such a large consignment would be ordered weeks ahead of the election for a country with no external threat. Worryingly many are coming to the conclusion that Swaziland’s government seem determined to hold on to their ‘unique form of non democracy’ whatever the cost.

campaigns

ZIMBABWEOn 27 June ACTSA joined with the Trades Union Congress and Zimbabwe Vigil to mark the fifth anniversary of Zimbabwe’s fateful presidential run off in 2008 and say Never Again! to a repeat of the violence and to support the calls of Zimbabweans for the upcoming elections to be free and fair.

The protest, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, centred on a ‘Tree of Hope’, which was covered in red paper roses, with people’s messages of hope for free and fair elections. Roses are used by the women’s movement in Zimbabwe as a symbol of peace.

Following the protest, a group took the tree to its new home in Southwark Cathedral, where it will continue gathering messages of hope right up until the election. Other churches are taking up the idea too. Southwark Diocese has a longstanding link with the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe.

ACTSA will be a holding a ‘Demonstration for Democracy’ on election day, 31 July, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, Strand, London. For more information and to join us see www.actsa.org

SWAZILAND

In June ACTSA joined public services union UNISON for a briefing for parliamentarians ‘Swaziland: A kingdom in crisis’. Quinton Dlamini, President of the National Public Service Allied Workers Union, and Bheki Mamba, President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union briefed MPs and Lords about the political and economic crisis in the country and the challenges facing the pro democracy movement.

After two years of pressure from ACTSA Swaziland has made it back into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s human rights report for 2012 as a case study on the denial of democracy. Swaziland last received a mention in the report of British government human rights priorities in 2009, but failed to get a mention in 2010 and 2011. ACTSA has consistently been telling the British government that they should use their unique position to do more to highlight the denial of democracy and rights in Swaziland; a mention in the report is a start but there is a very long way to go.

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JUSTICE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINERS

The National Union of Mineworkers South Africa’s Chair of Health and Safety, Peter Bailey, joined ACTSA in April to promote the justice for South African gold miners campaign at a series of events around Anglo American’s AGM.

During the week Peter addressed the full Scottish TUC Congress, spoke at numerous public events across the country and enabled ACTSA to get a great deal of media coverage for the campaign. He also met with parliamentarians to brief them on the campaign and actions they could take. Outside the Anglo American AGM we held a protest for decent compensation and healthcare for silicosis sufferers and their families whilst Anglo American’s board of directors were met with a barrage of questions demanding action for silicosis sufferers now.

On May Day ACTSA supporters held a protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice, whilst a jurisdiction case went on inside to decide whether ex gold miners will be able to have their case for compensation heard in the English courts. We await a judgement on the case later in 2013.

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news from actsa

LONDON MARATHON 2013

Huge congratulations to our five runners who successfully completed the London Marathon 2013 back in April. We were delighted that their dedicated training through the long cold winter paid off and they all completed the gruelling 26.2 miles, whilst raising crucial funds for ACTSA’s work.

You can still show your support for our runners by making a donation split between each of our runners by calling the office on 0203 2632001 or emailing [email protected].

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

ACTSA’s Annual Fundraising Dinner will take place on Friday 29 November 2013, at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London. We are delighted that once again the South African High Commission has agreed to host ACTSA, for what is sure to be a wonderful evening. Guests will enjoy live music, a delicious sit down meal, drinks reception and wine throughout the evening. There will be public and silent auctions with an array of wonderful prizes for guests to take home. Please join us and help raise crucial funds for ACTSA’s work on justice, rights and development in southern Africa.

Tickets cost just £60 per person and £600 for a table of 10 people. This event will sell out so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets available via emailing [email protected] or by visiting the ACTSA website www.actsa.org

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ACTSA’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday, 9 November 2013, at The Human Rights Action Centre, Amnesty International, British Section in London.

The closing date for motions and nominations is noon Monday 23 September. Papers will be sent out at the end of September. There is no charge for attending the AGM.

To register and receive the agenda and papers please email [email protected], putting AGM in the subject line or phone ACTSA 020 3263 2001.

This is your opportunity to help set ACTSA policy and priorities, to stand for, elect the National Executive Council and also hear and meet human rights and democracy activists from southern Africa. This year we hope to be joined by speakers from Swaziland.

takeaction

Elections in Zimbabwe will take place very soon. Will they be free and fair, or marred by the same violence as 2008? Concern is rising with increasing reports of intimidation and harassment of human rights activists.

Zimbabwe has suffered from violence, human rights abuses and severe poverty for too long. Zimbabweans deserve a better future, with a democratically elected government that will rebuild the country, eradicate poverty and ensure the country’s resources benefit all citizens, not just the select few.

It is important that we support Zimbabwe not just in the lead up to elections but also following the results as the country works to stabilise its economy and to improve rights, justice and democracy.

Please donate £20 or as much as you can and help ACTSA support democracy, rights and development in Zimbabwe as the country sits at this important crossroad.

DEMOCRACY FOR ZIMBABWE NOW!

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IMAGE: ACTSA & Zimbabwe Vigil ‘Never Again’ protest outside Zimbabwe Embassy London / CREDIT: ACTSA

DEMOCRACY AND RIGHTS FOR ZIMBABWE

actsa news summer 2013

Documents

summer issue of actsa

summer edition of actsa

south african miners

agreed position of actsa

south africa house

credible elections

upcoming elections

swaziland page