Numsa calls on MTN to restore internet in Eswatini
Updated | By Anastasi Mokgobu
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has called on South African cell phone giant, MTN, to restore internet services in neighbouring Eswatini.
The network provider has allegedly shut down internet services to Eswatini.
Protesters in Eswatini last week ramped up their campaign for political reform with wide-scale protests and unrest in various areas.
The Eswatini government deployed the army to disperse the crowds and unverified videos emerged of beatings by security forces.
Local civil society and opposition groups claim that at least 40 people have been killed as a result of state-sanctioned violence.
NUMSA National Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says shutting down the internet gives the state power to freely violate human rights.
“History will judge MTN for the role it is playing in this historic moment in Eswatini. It is choosing to side with a brutal regime against the just demand for democratic change for the masses. South African cellular network giant MTN has confirmed that it has been taken to court, together with state-owned eSwatini Mobile and eSwatini Telecommunications Corporation to force it to restore the internet service. The application has been made by the Institute for Democracy and Leadership,” says Hlubi-Majola.
She says Numsa supports calls by the protesters that they have full democratic rights in their country.
“We condemn the viciousness and violence of the state. We call on the international community of progressive formations to support the demands of the working class in Eswatini who want genuine democracy and freedom. We call on SADAC and particularly the South African government to intervene and call for the government to withdraw the army and stop the violence.
We call on the South African government to review all its relations with Eswatini, and that includes trade relations, if the government of that country does not stop its relentless attacks on the people.”
Meanwhile, two South African journalists who work for the non-profit publication, New Frame media house, were illegally detained and allegedly assaulted and tortured by police in Eswatini over the weekend.
The publication says in a statement that Magnificent Mndebele and Cebelihle Mbuyisa were released and returned home on Monday after legal intervention.
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