Read first 27, 28 and 29 August.

Buno's face darkened. His bloodshot eyes flashed and for a second I thought he would strike Tuys.

"The king commands! Buno, king of the Swazis, commands!" he shouted in a hoarse voice. "Shoot! Shoot and kill more than I did, if you can!"

I was holding Tuys's rifle and he came over to where I was standing. I was so sick with it all that I hardly heard him when he spoke to me hurriedly in Dutch.

"We must go through with it," he whispered. "Kill as few as you can. Shoot them in the head and they'll die quickly!"

A second later Tuys raised his rifle. Each shot that hit meant death; there was no need of stabbing when he shot. Buno taunted him at each shot, and in spite of being the best shot in the Transvaal Tuys was able to miss as many as possible without arousing the suspicions of the bloody king.

When he had finished my turn came. I could hardly hold the heavy rifle. Buno fairly abused me, for he was raging by this time. One taunt I well remember.

"O Mzaan Bakoor, you of the great ears!" he shouted, his voice now a hoarse growl. "Show the king that you can shoot as well as you hear. Oom Tuys cannot shoot. You beat him!"

So unsteady was I that I could not have held the rifle firmly if I had wanted to. I shot, and never were twenty shot so many. My score was much worse than Tuys's, but the memory of that murder match will never die!

Buno was jubilant over his victory. He seemed to think that he had shamed the white men before his people and his indunas also gloried in his victory. I think they were rather glad that they had not been asked to serve as targets.

Read first 27 and 28 August.

The indunas gathered about and I could see the horror in their faces. They knew what was coming, but even then I did not suspect. Tuys looked startled and gazed at Buno as though he could not understand. Down the lines the plumed heads still nodded and after a moment there was silence.

The savage king slipped a clip into his Mauser, the metallic click intensified by the silence. He raised the rifle, sighting down first one line of warriors and then the other. The next instant a shot rang out and a plumed Swazi pitched forward and lay writhing in the sunlight. As Buno threw another cartridge into place, two warriors stepped out and stabbed the fallen warrior.

Four more shots rang out, and at each a plumed head came down, with shield and assegai crashing as they struck the ground. Each warrior was stabbed as he lay, the killers quietly stepping back into the ranks.

It was the most ghastly spectacle I had ever attended. We Boers have always had to fight for our lives and farms, so that sudden death was no novelty to me. But such a slaughter as this!

Buno completed his twenty shots and made three misses. These angered him and he shouted out the equivalent of "I'll get you next time!"

Then came Tuys's turn. He had been thinking rapidly[70] and I had a faint hope that he would find some way out.

"O King, it is not fitting that your warriors should die by my rifle," he said hurriedly. "You are king and their lives are yours; I am but your guest and it is not right that brave men should be killed by one who loves only peace. Let us shoot at other targets. Let us kill cattle so that there may be a feast to-night".

Read first 27 August.

After dinner, during which Tuys told me more stories about Buno and his cruelty, we attended the shooting match. I don't suppose there was ever another like it. It was a most terrible exhibition of savage beastiality and ought to have been called the "murder match," instead of a shooting contest.

When we arrived at Buno's kraal we found him walking excitedly up and down, the rifle in his hands. Standing near him were a score or more of his indunas (a Zulu/Xhosa title meaning advisor, great leader, ambassador, headman or commander of a group of warriors) and we were struck at once by their look of apprehension. Lined up on either side of the wide roadway leading to the royal kraal were thousands of warriors. More than a dozen impis (a group of warriors) were in line, every man in his full war costume. Their knob-kerries (a sturdy stick with a knob at the end) were held at the ready, their shields across their bodies, and each had shifted his assegai to the position used in battle.

The lines of savage warriors stretched away from the kraal for hundreds of yards. It was the first time I had ever seen the impis of the king on parade and it was a most impressive sight. There was a slight breeze and the white plumes on their heads danced in the sunlight. What struck me most was the splendid build and stature of these men. They were all six feet or more and their black skins fairly shone. Most of them wore leopard-skins caught about the waist and on one shoulder.

My rapid inspection was broken by the king. He greeted us vociferously, and I immediately saw that he was on fire with the gin he had drunk. No sooner did he raise his hand in salutation than the impis gave the royal salute. Their deep shout ended with the crash of twenty thousand feet brought down together. The earth fairly shook.

I realize now that this salute was a tribute to the cruelty of the ages. In just such a manner did the gladiators salute Nero with their "Morituri te salutamus!" ("Hail, Emperor, those who are about to die salute you") A few moments after the salute I realized that these men were also about to die.

"Come on, Oom Tuys, come and let the king see how well you can shoot!" Buno shouted. "I have provided the only targets worthy of your skill—you who are noted for your shooting among a race of white men who have conquered all with their rifles! I will shoot first, and then you shall beat me!"

Then he turned suddenly to me.

"And you, too, Mzaan Bakoor, little induna! You, too, shall shoot against the king! First I will shoot, then Oom Tuys, and then you. Each will shoot this many shots," and he held out four clips of five cartridges each.

Eswatini.

After reading a couple of articles in Swaziland News about King Mswati's response to protesters asking for the country to be democratic, you might think these stories are from an exciting book. The two newspapers published in Eswatini (Times of Swaziland and Eswatini Observer,) do not publish anything about these events at all. The fact that these two newspapers are released in Eswatini and the Swaziland News from South Africa, could mean that it is not safe for the staff of this newspaper to release the paper in Eswatini.
We go to the end of the 19th century and the book “Adventures in Swaziland” by Owen Rowe O'Neil, published in 1921. The story of a South African Boer, who after being brought up near Swaziland, educated at Edinburgh and Harvard and was made a warrior of the Queen of the Swazis. It is not a “travel” book, but the narrative of a man who has lived a great part of his life with a savage African tribe.

Free of charge to be read on http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38447/38447-h/38447-h.htm

Quotes from the book "Adventures in Swaziland". Owen's uncle, Thuys, is a friend of King Buno of Swaziland. He takes his nephew to visit King Bruno. Page 54.

"Buno has asked me a thousand times to bring him a rifle," he said, "but always I have refused. As you know, the Swazis, like other kaffirs, are not allowed to have guns. Death is the punishment we deal out to those who sell rifles to these savages. Now Buno has his heart set on owning a rifle, and the last time I saw him I promised that I would get him one.

When they are near the King's kraal: "In the cart I have a Mauser with about five thousand cartridges, and the outfit is for Buno. You will want to come to Swaziland many times in the future, so I am going to make Buno your friend for life. I am going to allow you to present the Mauser to him!"

"He gave me the rifle and handed Sibijaan (One of two San boys who were "found" in the field. This one was offered as a playmate to Owen.) a heavy bag of cartridges. Then he loaded a dozen of our escort with more cartridges and bottles of gin. Thus loaded down, we set out to call on the most powerful and savage king in South Africa.

Eswatini.

RARE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Super intendent Bhekani Khumalo, the Malkerns Station Commander, who protected both the police and protectors.

Swaziland News, 25 August 2022. By Bongiwe Dlamini

MALKERNS: Superintendent Bhekani Khumalo, the Malkerns Station Commander demonstrated true policing on Tuesday when he controlled both his police officers and public transport employees to maintain peace and avoid confrontations.

In eSwatini it is rare for protestors to deliver petitions without being shot by the police, dozens have been killed since the political unrest started.

Police normally exercise caution when dealing with public transport employees as they normally exercise their power and influence a national shutdown without even applying for protest permit from Municipalities.

In a unusual conduct, police demonstrated professionalism during the delivery of a petition where the public transport employees were demanding justice for their colleague Sabelo Dlamini who was allegedly shot and killed by police officer Nkola Mabuza during the political unrest.

Reached for comments, Muzi Nhleko, the founder and National Organiser of the Eswatini Kombis, Buses and Allied Workers Union(EKABAU) confirmed that the Station Commander maintained law and order during the delivery of the petition.

“It’s true, we were not assaulted by the police on that day, the police Station Commander was professional hence they were no confrontations and chaos. We have always maintained that protestors are peaceful, it is the police that provokes them. If the police can work professionally in the country and do exactly what Station Commander Khumalo did, we will protest in peace in the country with no deaths and injuries,” he said.

Efforts to reach Station Commander Bhekani Khumalo proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

But Nhleko said they noted that while they were addressing the police, soldiers were camping nearby waiting to shoot them, he said the soldiers were driving in a foreign registered GD6.

It has been disclosed that after the delivery of the petition, some public transport workers were abducted by the police who found them next to Gcina Army Barracks in Matsapha, they then handed them over to soldiers who tortured them.

https://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=2942

https://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=2928

Swaziland News. By Zweli Martin Dlamini. 21 August 2022.

King Mswati: I will only release MP's Bacede Mabuza, Mthanderi Dube when surrendering the throne.

MBABANE: King Mswati allegedly told a team of Judges that he would only approve the release of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube when surrendering the Throne during what he described as “the firing of the last bullet”.

The Judges had gone to try and negotiate with Mswati to at least release the MPs and restore peace and stability in the country,however, the King is said to have stated categorically that he would not release the MPs.

“The King stated that he will not release the MPs but will fight until the last bullet.He said the death of the civilians and the security officers does not affect his Throne ngoba kusafa bantfu nje. Utsi yena usengakacali kusebentisa yakhe imali to defend his Throne,” said the high profile insider.

It has been disclosed that the Judges told the King that they have tried everything in their power to manipulate the law and keep the MPs behind bars, however, “it is now becoming clear in the eyes of the public that they are innocent”.

The insiders alleged that the King told the Judges that they must continue manipulating the law to prove that “they are educated”.

A questionnaire was sent to Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson, however, he had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.

This disclosure comes after King Mswati commanded police officers to intensify the shooting and killing of civilians, he said the police must meet them “eye for an eye”.

“I therefore advise you that as you go about your very important duties, you go out in full alert and in readiness to respond effectively and decisively against any criminal elements and you must meet them eye for an eye,” he said.

Eswatini is in the midst of a political unrest after King Mswati unleashed his forces to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for demanding democratic reforms.

Reached for comments, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum said it long became clear that the King had no commitment to a peaceful resolution of the socio-economic and political problems of the country.

“It was clear from the beginning that the MPs committed no crime, the case was a hoax from the start. It is quite pathetic that Judges should approach the King before they hand down judgments. There is no reason in law why the King should be consulted on a matter/matters before the court. This is downright wrong. The judge before whom the matter is heard should simply hand down judgment based on the evidence led, if one is clear from the evidence thus far, it is that there is no case for the MPs to answer, save the fact that the King is abusing the judicial process to achieve political ends", said the human rights lawyer

The MultiStakeholders Forum Chairperson said the MPs must be released to enable a climate of peace for a political dialogue to start.

A plane ticket has been bought for the next trip to Botswana. Departure on 10 April 2022 from Amsterdam to Johannesburg, return on May 24 from Johannesburg. On August 18, Window of Hope sent a message that they currently do not have a project for pre-schoolers. But I may teach the teenage mothers skills with they can use to earn money. Previously I had informed WoH that this is impossible, partly because I know nothing about what is needed in Botswana. There is contact with another group in Gantsi, they want me help with the care of street children and to set up a pre-school. In Molepolole a friend is looking for a space in a shopping mall to keep children occupied. Inquiries are being made at the municipality if and where this might be possible.

Democracy. There are different views on democracy. Take Kenya, a democratic republic. The elections there on 9 August are watched with fear and trembling. It is feared that the two candidates will incite their own tribe against that of the other candidate, as this has already happened in the past. This resulted in many deaths. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently gives travel advice for Kenya: "The color code for Kenya is mainly yellow with a part orange and red. There are security risks in the red areas." Eswatini is an absolute monarchy. It has a parliament that has almost only advisory powers. Members are appointed in the local communities through a vaguely transparent procedure. They do not represent any grass root supporters. People who ask for democracy are killed by the army and police on behalf of the king.

During the 21st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, 1964, concerning discussions on giving independence to Colonial countries, the Uruquay delegate stated that the Latin American countries had set a good example for the African countries to be able to be independent. The Tanzanian delegate "did not believe that democracy was now coming to Africa. The history of that continent had always been marked by bloodshed and what was now taking place in Africa was a proces of decolonization. It was therefore not really a question of democracy coming to Africa but a question of restoration to the Africans of the rights of which they had been robbed by the colonial powers."
In Botswana, President Masisi is currently on tour for the 2024 general election. Addressing delegates at the BDP Youth Wing Congress in Bobonong over the weekend, Masisi made the young people stand and pledge support for him and his party on their ’exciting’ campaign towards winning convincingly in the 2024 general elections. True democracy doesn't involve enforcing a pledge for support. Kenya became independent in 1963, Botswana in 1966 and Eswatini in 1968. Perhaps it is still too early for these countries to have switched to a democratic government? Uruquay became independent in 1828. So that country has a big lead and is, as far as I can judge, a lot more democratic.

US firm, BURS seal 10-yr ‘track and trace’ deal. Tuesday August 2, 2022
Texas-based authentication firm, Authentix, says it has scooped a 10-year deal to provide the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) with technology to implement the contentious 'track and trace' system designed to crack down on alcohol and tobacco tax losses.

In a statement earlier today, Authentix said the new contract covers the marking and digital tracking of an estimated 500 million product units per year.

The track and trace system involves placing a biometric imprint on all alcohol and tobacco products as they are manufactured and imported into the country, allowing the BURS to check that the correct tax revenue is being paid and that the products are genuine and not illicit.

“The new digital track and trace system will boost tax revenue collections levied on manufacturers and importers by increasing industry compliance, reducing illicit trade, and preventing the underreporting of volumes,” Authentix officials stated.

Recently, BURS officials told Mmegi that the alcohol and tobacco industries were a key player in the estimated loss of P3 billion in tax revenues each year. Part of the problem, the tax collector says, is that the industries, particularly alcohol, have a high number of taxes, levies, and other statutory revenues due to government, which make under-reporting and understatement rampant.

Botswana.
BURS (Botswana Unified Revenue Services) case opens can of worms. Mmegi. Friday August 5, 2022
The criminal case involving the alleged loss of millions of pula from the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) is opening a can of worms.

Head honchos within the agency are accused of depleting BURS coffers by authorising unaudited payments to companies in the form of refunds.

Mmegi is informed that the millions that the tax agency claims to have been lost through insider tax fraud were reportedly lost through a lack of value added tax (VAT) refund audits which companies took advantage of and cashed out.

It is alleged that the bosses at BURS dropped the ball when they disregarded the auditing of VAT refunds before respective companies were paid and are now trying to save their image by allegedly shifting the blame to “mere tax collectors” to avoid any accountability.

Read more: https://www.mmegi.bw/news/burs-case-opens-can-of-worms/news

News. Good news from Botswana. The Dutch newspaper Trouw reports: "Botswana has almost defeated HIV." As the second country in the world, after Eswatini, Botswana seems to be meeting the UN target in this battle. In 1999, the country launched an ambitious program aimed at preventing mother-to-child HIV infections. That program has paid off, so that few children are born with HIV. The country is even on track to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. (Ghassan Dahhan) July 6, 2022.

Solidarity Forces Spokesperson: Pro-Democray policeofficers must remember dress-code to avoid being killed. Wednesday 3 August 2022. By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: “As agreed, all pro-democracy police officers who work with us behind the scenes must remember their dress code to avoid being killed”.

These were the sentiments of the Spokesperson of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF) when speaking to this Swaziland News on Wednesday.

The Spokesperson whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons, said they advised all police officers who worked with them to wear their uniform in a certain way that is only known by members of the ground forces to avoid being killed.

“The operation has already started so we urge police officers who work with us to be safe, they know what to do to be easily identified and be protected,” he said.

The Spokesperson further thanked the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) for complying with the fifteen(15) day order by urging their members to stay at home, he said the coming operations that would start tomorrow(Thursday) would be more deadly.

Eswatini is in the midst of a political crisis after King Mswati unleashed soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for demanding democratic reforms.

Ex-Senate Deputy President: Mswati is watching while an editor runs the country on air. Tuesday 2 August 2022. By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: Ngomyayona Gamedze, the former Senate Deputy President says King Mswati is watching hopelessly, while an editor who is outside the country runs the country with information through a platform that is accessed on air.

Speaking to this Swaziland News during an interview on Monday evening, Gamedze said the Siphofaneni elections and the mere fact that Mswati was no longer in control of sources of information suggested that it was just a matter of time before Swazis tasted freedom.

“The editor of this publication is outside eSwatini but he is in full control of the source of credible information and Mswati has tried in vain to stop the platform. Furthermore, the Siphofaneni elections was a huge embarrassment to Mswati. We supported LaZwide not because we expect her to change the system inside Parliament within a short period of time, we know she is not politically expirienced to do that. But, we wanted to prove that as the pro-democracy movement, we are now in-charge. Lelive nyalo liva nge-journalist lengekho nalaKaNgwane kutsi kwentekani eveni, le-journalist ihleli lapha emoyeni, tindzaba sitidvonsa khona ngaphandle kwenkinga, ativinjwa,” said the former Senate Deputy President.

Answer to my request for a special CKGR entrance permit from the Embassy of Botswana in Brussels 9 May 2013.

Dear Madam,

Reference is made to your undated letter requesting assistence with a special permit to enter the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).

We have been informed by the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, that you previously entered the CKGR on 14th April 2012 as a tourist. You were booked to stay at the Bape and Xaka campsite for seven days. (i.e. up to the 11th April 2022). However, you did not stay in the campsites but instead chose to live in the settlements in the CKGR. You were arrested at Guguma settlement and subsequently asked to leave the CKGR on the 10th April 2012.

In view of the above, the Ministry is concerned that during your previous visit you did not abide by the Reserve Regulations, and you may repeat the act again. The Minstry, however, recommends that you account for your previous actions and undertake to abide by all regulations governing the conduct of tourists to the protected areas in the country before consideration can be given in allowing you back into the CKGR.

We look forward to your response on this important matter.

After explaining my purpose of staying in the settlements and the reasons for not entering the CKGR anymore, there was silence from the Embassy.