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Sam Gurney

My Party:
Labour

My Constituency:
Kensington

My Election:
2010 UK General Elections

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My Experience

Sam Gurney was born and raised in Kensington attending Bevington Primary School and Holland Park Comprehensive. He is a Policy Officer in the European and International Relations Department at the Trades Union Congress and a member of the Governing Body of the UN International Labour Organisation. His current areas of responsibility at the TUC include; the ILO, China, Latin America, South Africa, relations with the International Trades Union Confederation and campaign work on procurement and London 2012.

 

Until July 2003 he was a Regional Organiser for GMB London Region. Before this he was an organiser at Connect the Union for Professionals in Communication. He studied at the School of African and Asian Studies at the University of Sussex (where he was also president of the student union 1995-96) and the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations at the University of Warwick where he obtained a Masters with distinction.

 

His areas of political interest include; international development, workplace rights and London governance.

My Supporters

Boycey Magongo

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Questions I have been asked

Sam Gurney, This is Boycey Magongo from Swaziland - Just a Businessman.Perhaps this is not a question but about the Bombings in Swaziland as well as the Death of Jele killed by Correctional Services Officers. I saw your article in the Times of SD today.I am a victim of Government Bombings myself where I eventually had to write a letter to his Majesty King Mswati 111 in DEC 2009. If I had your direct email address, I would attach the files of my Premises bombings which were carried out by the Police here. Below is a letter to his Majesty;PO BOX 4860 MANZINI 1ST DECEMBER, 2009HIS MAJESTYKING MSWATI IIIKINGDOM OF ESWATINITHE KINGS OFFICELOZITHA PALACELOZITHAYour Majesty,RE : GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION EXPERIENCED AT ELANGENI; REQUEST YOUR MAJESTY’S INTERVENTION & RESTORATION OF MY RIGHTS AND PROPERTY THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED UNDER SUCH CORRUPT ACTSThe above matter refers.With all Humility and Utmost Respect, I present my case of Gross Violation of my Human Rights here in Swaziland, at Elangeni Area.Copied are letters to the Right Honorable Prime Minister; extracts from the National Constitution of Swaziland and Newspaper Article from the Times of Swaziland, as reference.Recently, Your Majesty, I have been under severe attack at Elangeni by the Royal Swaziland Police who were working together with the Elangeni Chieftaincy. It all started in November 2008 when the Police started serving me with some false subpoenas calling me to court (copy). They laid a false charge against me and all along they were refusing to tell me the charge. The whole story is narrated in the first letter written to the Honorable Prime Minister. In April 2009, my residential place was attacked by a group of community members from Elangeni, sent by the Umphakatsi who did not have a court order (Newspaper Copy). The whole news came out on National Television Channel S as well. Again in September 2009, Your Majesty, I had just gone to my parental home on a Tuesday, only to come back to find my Business Place under this Arson attack. Mr D. Dludlu who is the Station Commander at Lobamba Police Station had hinted to me that he would deal with me since I refused to be arrested under the false charge. When my sister and I checked the damage that morning we realized that a certain table full of all my paper work including Pass ports, Birth Certificates, letter of condolences from the Danish Embassy, pictures taken at the scene of destruction and many other papers were carefully removed, and then the whole place was set alight to make it look like a mysterious attack. This we saw, because there was no debris of ‘the burnt missing table”. The Elangeni Chieftaincy had vowed to remove me forcefully (Copy Newspaper article). Besides the Police were looking for any letters that I may have received from would be sympathizers from the previous attack they initiated with the Chieftaincy. This was because the previous week I had been talking to my Aunt who leaves at Elangeni and told her about this letter. She then went to tell the Chieftaincy which did not hesitate to call the Police to make an attack the following week. The Police monitor my movements and whereabouts using my cell phone. The previous night to the attack I had been talking to a lady from church and told her that I was away at Moneni – that evening.Your Majesty, this is nothing but Police Brutality and Corruption at its worst. You have once summoned the Nation to the National Kraal. Your Majesty where you wondered about the mysterious disappearance of E6.2 Million that was stolen at Piggs Peak Police station (Newspaper articles copied) Eventually the Police officers from that station were transferred . I have lived at Elangeni for about ten years, Your Majesty, and I know exactly how the Chieftaincy runs its business. About four people have died at Elangeni under mysterious circumstances after having been through an argument with the Chieftaincy. Two of them are potential businessmen; Mr Motsa who wanted to build a Motor Vehicle workshop fixing cars , and Mr Les Jacobs who wanted to build a Filling Station costing about E3 Million. Mr Motsa used to get assistance from me, as I used to supply him with water which he needed for building. He would tell me that the Umphakatsi wanted to take his place forcefully. Although he had paid his dues, the corrupt libandla of Elangeni came hard on him and it wasn’t long He died. Mr Motsa left behind small children that he took care of. Mr Les Jacobs paid up to E30 000 for a place to build his filling Station. He was given all the paper work to do so, and in no time at all, Your Majesty, the libandla started chasing him away.Mr Jacobs then asked for his money back since they had double crossed him. When he didn’t get it, he then went to so many places in Swaziland like Eludzidzini, including the Kings Office, but he did not get any assistance. Jacobs eventually went to court, but in no time I heard that he died. Another person was just found dead in the morning right in the vicinity of the shops at Elangeni. Nhlanhla Magongo who was Mr Jacobs’ lincusa also complained about the ill treatments Mr Jacobs received, he too died. All Attorneys Blocked to Assist and Uphold my JusticeThe sad thing in my story, Your Majesty, is that I saw all this coming. I was warned about it but unfortunately when I tried to obtain the Assistance of the Justice System; All my Lawyers took my money but turned against me. When I searched deep to find out the course, experts told me that you never file a case against any Chieftaincy no matter how wrong they are because Chieftaincies represent the Royal Family. This is according to the Constitution under Section 233 from the sub heading “Tikhulu (Chiefs)” which states; (1) chiefs are the footstool of iNgwenyama (King) and INgwenyama rules through the Chiefs (copy)Surely, Your Majesty, the Royal Family cannot condone such wicked actions from these chieftaincies. It certainly is not the Royal Family that sends the Chiefs to do mischief and hide under the Royal Family’s Name. In most cases when the law has been broken in these communities, the Police look the other way and the victim usually suffers the consequences, if he / she is not dead already. Furthermore, the Constitution continues under Secion 233 (9); sub heading ‘Tikhulu (Chiefs)’ that; In the exercise of the functions and duties of the Chiefs office; a Chief enforces amongst other things, Practice which is Just and not discriminatory (copy). The Police add their own pressure knowingly of their wrong doing. Swazis are now living in terrible fear indeed, Your Majesty, because this problem that faces many Swazi’s, has never been rectified by the Government. I saw on Television News, Mr Isaac Magagula (Police Commissioner) making submissions before the Parliament; he mentioned that The Police force was being sued Millions of Emalangeni by the Members of the Public for negligence, at the High Court of Swaziland. This revelation sent a chill down my spine.I took ten people from Elangeni to the Mbabane Magistrate Court for a ‘Peace binding’ hearing. They have been causing a nuisance and breaking the law. This was after the Police at Lobamba had repeatedly refused to make any arrests of the ten Law Breakers. When I arrived in court, I was surprised to see that the Government of Swaziland had sent Lawyers from Attorney Generals Office to protect them. This action shocked the living daylights out of me. I wondered, Your Majesty, how people would break the law, and still be protected by the Government (Newspaper Article)Human Rights Generally Abused in SwazilandIn the past years, Your Majesty, Swazi’s have generally seen many of their Human Rights Abused. Usually this takes place in Chieftaincy area’s where money is usually the corruption factor. Illegal sale of Land to other desperate people needing accommodation leads to many Swazi’s sufferring because the Chief decides over night that he wants to sell some land illegally to the next person for a lucrative sum of money. This has seen innocent people dying for their land. I am not even mentioning the innocent people that die in Swaziland and their body parts are found mutilated for witchcraft purposes; Mob justice where a group of community people gather themselves to destroy someone’s property, or gather to kill someone because of jealous motives; we have seen new born babies being dumped in pit latrines or dustbins. Life gets harder to cope with, poverty sets in, unemployment is so real, Crime is on the rise, corruption is inevitable; Human Rights are abused to ease of the pressure.When you view my case, Your Majesty, you will notice that I had followed all channels I needed to follow. When I wrote to the PM, I was greatly inspired by an article where he says “ We want people to know that Swaziland Govt will not tolerate Corruption” (Newspaper Article Monday June 1st 2009)Constitution of Swaziland Not Put to PracticeAs if anything to go by, Your Majesty, it is clear with my case that the prevailing Constitution of Swaziland and other Laws we have, practiced at our courts, are clearly not upheld.The following sections have been extracted from the Constitution of Swaziland; Chapter III – Protection and Promotion of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.1. Section 14 (i) The Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of the Individual enshrined in this Chapter are hereby declared and Guaranteed namely – (a) respect for life, liberty, right to fair hearing, equality before the law and equal protection of the law;(c) protection of the privacy of the home and other property rights of the individual; (d) protection from deprivation of property without compensation; (e) protection from inhuman or degrading treatment, amongst other things, arbitrary search and entry.2. Section 18 (1) The Dignity of every person is inviolable. (2) A person shall not be subjected to torture or to inhuman or Degrading treatment or punishment 3. Section 19 (1) a person has a right to own property either alone or in association with others. (2) A person shall not be compulsory deprived of property or any interest in or right over property of any description except where the following conditions are satisfied :- amongst other things,(c) the taking of possession or the acquisition is made under a Court Order4. Section 33 (i) states ; A person appearing before any administrative authority has a right to be heard and to be treated justly and fairly in accordance with the requirements imposed by law including the requirements of fundamental Justice of Fairness and has a right to apply to a court of law in respect of any decision taken against that person with which that person is aggrieved.5. Section 29 (3) The child has the right to be properly cared for and brought up by parents or other lawful authority in place of parents.Having extracted these fundamental rights which I am still entitled to as a Swazi Citizen; It shocks me tremendously to have Government officers treating me in such an inhuman and degrading manner. My son who is attending Primary school is greatly disturbed and affected by these sequence of destructive events. It has surely drained us Financially, emotionally, socially and otherwise, everywhere you meet people in town, they talk about these sad occurrences. Paying school fees for my son, is now a battle, I’m usually the last parent to pay at his school. I used to have four cars, Your Majesty, but now I am walking like most people. They all got Bank repossessed, not that I couldn’t pay but because certain people in the Government circles had vowed to cut my source of income , and reduce me to nothing – How Wicked!!Investors in Swaziland Also SabotagedSometime ago, I learnt from a Press Statement issued by one of Swaziland’s Investment Groups – SWAKI, that they were not quite happy with one of their investment partners SIDC. As a matter of fact, Your Majesty, they ended up in court suing one another. The real issue here Your Majesty, is that SIDC is also partly owned by the Swaziland Government and members of the Public have been wondering why the Government is quiet about this matter, because the Swazi Plaza Corporate Place was going to create job opportunities for many Swazis. Now the Swazi Plaza (Unfinished Project) is an eye-sore in the middle of the Capital City.What is astounding, Your Majesty, is the Fact that SWAKI in their Statement told the Nation that about E118 Million worth of a project has been stalled. They were and still are; willing to fund the whole project by themselves without SIDC’s 12 % (Twelve percent) involvement in the whole project. Since about almost two years now, Your Majesty, the Ministry of Trade & Industry or the Prime Minister’s Office has never tackled this problem nor have they bothered to bring some light to this long sabotaged project. The Nation is patiently wondering when the Government will start being Proactive in solving such investment crises, that many investors are no doubt visibly worried about.Sappi Usuthu Pulp Company used to be the largest employer in Swaziland. It is now sad that they will be closing down in January 2010. More jobs will be lost. More Crime will increase. No one is blaming the Government here, Your Majesty, it’s just that the Nation is gearing itself to more recessions that are hitting Swaziland. Some of these problems happen through no fault of our own but some are happening through our mistakes; like the Hyundai Car Assembly Plant that was supposed to be in Swaziland. The Investors then decided to relocate to Botswana – because of Government Delays to give Investors a go ahead. This was during the time of His Royal Excellency Prince Mbilini, who was the Prime Minister then.Personally, I have lost over E4 Million over the past ten (10) years, as a direct result of Willful Sabotage and destruction by Government Officers through the following incidents;1. Sabotage by Manzini City Council – Blockage of My Business Plans, Continuous Harassment at Business Premises (Manzini)2. Malicious Prosecution Charges – Case 843/20033. 3 More Further Malicious Charges being Instigated by Lobamba Police, As at October, 20094. Arson Attack which destroyed Intellectual Property at Elangeni Business Premises, Including Plans for Constructing Apartments.5. Unrecovered Claims from Court; ten years ago cases 1138/99 and case 1481/99 respectively.Prayers to Correct Current SituationMay it Please Your Majesty, to instill long awaited justice in the Country of Swaziland in so far as these issues are concerned, by granting me, amongst other requests, the following prayers;Prayer 1. To move out a Mabuza Family that has built their house illegally (without the Magongo Family’s Consent) at my Parental Homestead at Elangeni next to Emphakatsini. This Family has continued to put a fence around their house despite warnings not to do so by us. They have gone ahead to bribe certain thugs from Elangeni to cause some destruction upon our lives because they want to take over the whole Land belonging to Baka Magongo. When we ask them who authorized them to continue developing themselves at our premises, they point out to Baka Maphanga who are only cousins to us and not authorized to issue any commands on our behalf.Prayer 2. To restore back our Fundamental rights; liberty, dignity, respect for Life, Peace and all other such Human Rights values that God Almighty would be pleased.Prayer 3. That it may Please Your Majesty, to soon appoint a Chief, as all these incidents are happening without a Chief. May you appoint a Chief with God’s Wisdom; one who values God’s Laws and has respect for Human life. For God is Sovereign and cannot be mocked. Perhaps one who is familiar with the laid down laws of the Constitution of Swaziland and understands Human Rights issues.Prayers 4. That, Your Majesty, All Monies that were taken illegally from the Motsa and Jacobs families, in falsehood and corruption by the perpetrators at Elangeni, be given back to the remnants of these families. Let them be fully refunded for all their hard-earned Labour and let Justice Prevail – this would be the right thing to do.Prayers 5. That all people from Elangeni, who have been defrauded of their monies arising from corruption at Elangeni; May they be fully compensated. That would also be the right thing to do.Prayers 6 that all the damaged walls and columns that were destroyed on the 2nd April, 2009, at our residential premises, below the Mdzimba mountain, be fully compensated for and restored. Furthermore; all our fruit trees namely; Peach trees, Mango trees, Plum trees, Orange trees, granadilla plants be compensated for. All our palm trees in their different kinds as we had planted, be fully compensated for and restored. All our maize we had planted and were chopped down by neighbours who were instructed to do so, and later not arrested by the Police; may all this be restored.Prayers 7. Any other such relief that would bring back peace and dignity to all the people living in Chiefdoms in Swaziland; May it Please Your Majesty to fully return such values, as many have suffered the evil practices that happen to many in these areas.Your Majesty, The action of the above prayers would definitely bring Peace not only to myself, but to the entire Nation who’s Rights have been trampled. In summary to my letter, Your Majesty, I also pray that as a nation we may fix our eyes on Our Lord Jesus, who gives us the power to produce wealth. Jesus left Heavenly Wealth and decided to come to Earth and die for the Precious Human Beings that He had created. When he did this he birthed our Freedom and Human Rights (Gal 5:1) If Jesus could put great value to Human Rights, Your Majesty, then I have reasons to believe that the Authorities of the whole world can follow suit. Off course God also gave us choices which he will surely bring Judgement to. As I have already committed to God Almighty all Evil done to me, Your Majesty, I humbly submit this letter for your kind attention. Thanking you in advance Your Majesty, for having taken your precious time in reading through my most humble petition of Intervention, and ultimate Restoration.Bayethe! Wena Waphakathi! Wenu Ngangezintaba! Yours Faithfully,Boycey S Magongo(Your Humble Servant)

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