DAGGA WAR : POCA FALLS APART!

Swati Newsweek, July, 21, 2020

By Eugene Dube
Lobamba – Hosea Member of Parliament, Bacede Mabuza, successful moved a motion, seconded by MP Mabulala Maseko; challenging the royal syndicate of Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2018
This means no person will be arrested under this infamous law MPs said the law needs to be ammended first.

The law targeted mosly rich dagga farmers living in rural Swaziland.

Dagga is seen as Swati gold. Many people rely on it for survival in Hhohho and Shiselweni regions.

This comes after this Swati Newsweek Online published a story on Sunday 20, July where it was revealed that two MPs wanted this law to be ammended.

This act has caused an uproar among individuals who are suspected to be fending for their families through the illegal dagga trade.

Property and cash to the tune of millions of Emalangeni has been seized and frozen respectively in the last couple of weeks, from ‘suspected’ dagga dealers; with no evidence to confirm such allegations. The MP’s are calling for an urgent amendment of this act.

The first demand is that the Hon. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Princess (Pholile Shakantu) prepares an urgent Bill, which seeks to amend certain sections of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, no. 11 of 2018.

The demands are listed under MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE section in the ESWATINI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ORDER PAPER for Monday 20th July, 2020.
The vocal MPs want some sections addressed in the House of Assembly. Some of these include; “The unwarranted seizure of property based on suspicions without ascertaining clearly the source of income of the individual,” as spelled out in tomorrow’s Order Paper.
“The selective application of the law targeting certain group of fellow citizens without any thorough investigation and not giving suspects the right to be heard,” is another issue to be addressed during the day.
Countless individuals have been vocal in challenging this act as it seems to be politically motivated rather based on the exercise of the rule of justice.