Communist Party of Swaziland

12 February 2023

The Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Patrick Malinga, a member of the CPS based in Nhlangano.

Comrade Patrick was also a well respected and dedicated member of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), serving the union as the Nhlangano Branch Treasurer. The CPS also conveys its condolences to the membership of SNAT, the trade union movement and the entire mass democratic movement on this sad loss.

As a member of the CPS, Comrade Patrick made meaningful contributions to the growth of the Party and helped to galvanise the struggle for socialism. In this regard, he helped to build the Party’s study groups in the communities and workplaces, raising the consciousness of the working class. At a time when the Mswati autocracy intensified its crackdown on democracy activists, he would proudly wear his CPS T-shirt without fear, knowing that he was fighting for a noble cause.

His family and comrades are quite aware of the fact that Comrade Patrick would have lived had there been quality health care in Swaziland. His death, therefore, is a direct cause of the oppressive tinkhundla system which has destroyed the health system. Due to continuous shortage of medical equipment, drugs and personnel, a crisis which health workers have raised countless times and even protested over but ignored by the ruling regime, health workers could do nothing but monitor his medical condition over time while searching for solutions. His death, therefore, can only be placed at the door of the tinkhundla regime.

In paying tribute to Comrade Patrick, the CPS calls upon the people of Swaziland to intensify the struggle against the oppressive Mswati autocracy, establish a people’s democratic republic grounded on people’s power. This demands principled unity and commitment among the people to render the country ungovernable and overthrow the regime.

Issued by the Communist Party of Swaziland

Contacts:

Thokozane Kenneth Kunene
General Secretary
(+27)72 594 3971

Pius Vilakati
International Secretary
(+27)81 353 3383
Email: cpswa.org@gmail.com

Facebook: Communist Party Of Swaziland – CPS
Twitter: @CPSwaziland
Website: https://cp-swa.org/