Free Mario Masuku

President arrested May 22, 2010

2010-05-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Update on PUDEMO President Comrade Mario Masuku’s

Like the past week, at about 5am this morning a battalion of hundreds of royal hit squads came to Sipho Jele's funeral.

This time around not raiding, but taking notes of what speakers had to say with the aim of targeting those who would say "viva PUDEMO".

Of note, this time they were carrying a digital video camera and recorded the morning sermon.

The environment was tense; last week's events were still fresh on the minds of the people who had attended.

Just when all was done, on our way back there was a road block, our car was following that of PUDEMO President and his son.

About 50 cops ordered Mario to get into the police van which took him to a police station near Luyengo.

In fear that he might be tortured as well, we decided to drive with them to the police station.

Many other comrades came, we waited out side the station. The media was already there to cover the story.

After waiting since morning we were told that he allegedly committed a crime under on terrorism act by shouting VIVA PUDEMO at the funeral.

After waiting for hours he was released, claiming that they will serve him with relevant papers so that he appear in court.

Mario Freed

2009-09-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

MARIO FREED OF TERRORISM CASE

22 September, 2009
Hlengiwe Ndlovu
Swazi Observer

PUDEMO President Mario Masuku escorted by a security officer at the High Court yesterday

PUDEMO President Mario Masuku was yesterday acquitted of a charge of terrorism.

He was acquitted by High Court Judge Mbutfo Mamba on the first day of his trial. He had been charged with contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act after he uttered statements to the effect that PUDEMO would continue with the bombing of vital government structures in Swaziland last year at the funeral of the late Musa Dlamini who was killed during a bomb blast at Lozitha bridge.

The funeral was held at KaLanga in Siteki.

Justice Mamba found that there was “poor quality of evidence” by the prosecution in the matter.

Appearing for the crown was Director of Public Prosecutions Mumcy Dlamini, whilst advocate Norman Kades, who had been instructed by Thulani Maseko, Masuku’s lawyer appeared for the defence.

Poor quality evidence, incoherent statements submitted to the court by witnesses and a series of dramatic errors led by Judge Mamba issuing the ruling that Masuku be acquitted.

After the examination and cross examination of witnesses in court, in a trial that began in the morning and ended shortly after lunch, Advocate Kades made an application to the Judge under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938 Section 174, Subsection 4 that the case be dismissed because of the poor quality evidence.

“My Lord, there is no way that the accused can be put on the defence to answer on the charges because the evidence which has been brought to this court is very poor. It is just not worthy.”

Furthermore, the advocate noted that within the evidence, there is nothing which also substantiates Masuku’s alternative charge.
The alternative charge states that “the accused is guilty of Contravening Section (5) (1) of the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938. In that or upon or about the 27th September, 2008 at or near KaLanga area, the said accused did unlawfully and with subversive intention utter the words to the effect that they will continue with the bombing of vital structures of the government of the Kingdom of Swaziland and did thereby contravene the said Act.”

Five witnesses had presented their evidence, and one of them was Superintendent Mike Zwane the police officer who was in charge of investigating the matter.

Evidence brought to the court by the first witness Sithembiso Shongwe was dismissed in the initial stages of the trial, on the basis that it was irrelevant.

Judge Mamba ruled that the evidence was inadmissible after Advocate Kades applied that it was irrelevant because Shongwe kept on telling the court about activities planned by PUDEMO in meetings that were held in South Africa.

One of these activities is the operation “vula vala”, which the witness described as being an activity planned by PUDEMO to disrupt last year’s parliamentary elections by bombing different Tinkhundla Centres and government structures. Submitting his evidence, Shongwe mentioned other sordid activities planned by his organisation to make the country ungovernable.

Shongwe is a defective member of PUDEMO, and is interestingly serving a term in prison for a string of cases.

Making his ruling Justice Mamba said, “I have heard the evidence which has been presented. I agree that evidence brought by the three other witnesses, apart from that made by the police officer is so poor that I can not make out or determine what they were talking about.

The application for the discharge of the accused is accordingly granted and written reasons will be issued in due course”.

Judge Mamba observed that the evidence by Superintendent Zwane did not in any way mention anything about Masuku’s charge.

DPP’s attempt to stop Advocate Kades’ application in vain

DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions Mumcy Dlamini tried to oppose Advocate Norman Kades’ application that Mario Masuku’s matter be dismissed but this was in vain.

Dlamini submitted that because a number of witnesses called by the state highlighted on the statements made by Masuku at MJ’s funeral and quoted him verbatim and as such argued that the matter should not be dismissed.

Making her alternative submission, she said Masuku had indeed made statements in support of terrorism at MJ’s funeral. Advocate Kades was worried with the use of the word “they” in the Masuku’s charge. The charge states that Masuku uttered statements that “they will continue with the bombing of vital structures of the government of the Kingdom of Swaziland”.

Advocate Kades argued that by saying “they”, Masuku was not referring to himself. The DPP said by uttering these statements, whether Masuku was referring to himself or other people is not important, but what matters is that he said something that supports terrorism.

A free man!

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

HIGH COURT UPDATE

4hrs ago: A PUDEMO member claims to have been trained in arms and is testifying against Mario.

3hrs ago: He details how he was trained on armed strategies through secret meetings.

3hrs ago: The man give details on three operations; operation rush hour, operation vula vala……

3hrs ago: only three people had testified

2hrs ago: toyi toying at the high court and chanting of political slogans.

An hour ago: The witness who claimed to have been "trained" is allegedly from custody arrested for rape.

50 min ago: Police officers arrest a PUDEMO member for wearing a PUDEMO t-shirt.

NOW : MARIO IS DISCHARGED…and FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Mario Masuku is a free man….. He has been acquitted of all charges!

Mario Masuku's trial begins today

2009-09-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

This morning the trial of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku has begun at High Court in Mbabane.

The court room is packed to capacity and many outside can not get in.

PUDEMO members were toyi toying, shouting VIVA PUDEMO and were threatened with arrest if they continued to do so.

One PUDEMO member has been arrested for wearing a PUDEMO t-shirt.

Two members of the American Embassy are present and representatives from the Canadian High Commission have been requested, by SSN Canada, to attend the four day hearings.

Trial to begin on Sept 21

2009-09-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

PUDEMO STATEMENT ON THE MARIO MASUKU TRIAL 14 September 2009

The Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) wishes to alert both the Swazi public and the international community on the coming trial of its President Mario T Masuku. Masuku was arrested in November 2008 less than 24 hours after the oppressive and undemocratic Swazi royal regime had ‘banned’ the organization describing it as terrorists. This is all because PUDEMO has over the years dared to challenge the regime to stop its dictatorial tendencies, human rights abuse, corruption, nepotism, harassment, lack of democracy, etc. For this, PUDEMO has been viewed by the regime as its greatest threat to its continued oppression of the poor masses of Swaziland.

On the 21 September, the trial shall commence at the High Court of Swaziland in Mbabane at 9am. The resilient members of PUDEMO from all corners of the country shall again descend on Mbabane in support of their President. They will be joined by the democracy seeking people of Swaziland under the banner of the Swaziland United Democratic Front. This is because Comrade Masuku’s detention has become a symbol of oppression for the people of Swaziland!

This will be a contest between freedom and oppression; justice and injustice. The defence team comprises fearless lawyers for human rights, who have over the years stood by and defended the oppressed people of Swaziland without fear of this brutal regime. There is Thulani Maseko (is himself out on bail on charges of sedition), Leo Gama, Mandla Mkhwanazi and Paul Shilubane. The regime has unashamedly run to South Africa, a democratic country to seek legal assistance on its fight to sustain its injustices and oppression on the people of Swaziland. Whoever shall take this offer must be condemned and discouraged, for the rewards are no different from blood money!

Meanwhile a prayer service is being planned in Swaziland for the coming weekend in preparation fro the commencement of the trial. We are also encouraged by the planned protest action by COSATU for the release of Mario Masuku on 25 September. A lot of activities internationally are currently taking place where people are calling for the release of Comrade Mario and the introduction of multiparty democracy in Swaziland. The Swaziland Solidarity Network is one of such.

Comrade Mario is fine and ready for the road ahead. The family also remains strong and fully behind him for they know that this is not only about them, but the fight for the oppressed masses of Swaziland.

However, as usual, the state will be unleashing its brutal security apparatus to intimidate, harass and even assault people who will be attending the trial. But we shall remain resolute in support of our President and the fight for democracy in Swaziland.

Contacts

National Head of Publicity Zakhele Mabuza +268 607 3453

Deputy President Sikhumbuzo Phakathi 0731427594

Secretary General Sphasha Dlamini +268 608 9783

6 to testify against Mario

2009-08-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

6 to testify against PUDEMO’S Mario

SIBUSISO NGUBANE on August 30,2009

Sunday Times

MBABANE—The Director of Public Prosecutions has lined up six witnesses to testify against incarcerated People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku when his trial kicks off next month.

The list of the six witnesses is contained in the summary of evidence which the DPP will present to court when Masuku’s trial resumes next month. However, the summary of evidence doesn’t say what the witnesses will tell the court as it happens in some matters. “Please take notice further that the crown will add more witnesses to the ones mentioned above,” reads part of the summary of evidence form.

Masuku is accused for contravening section 11 (1) (b) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act number 3 of 2008 or alternatively contravening section 5 (1) of the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of Terrorism Act of 1938 as amended.

The PUDEMO president is alleged to have unlawfully and knowingly given support to the commission of terrorist acts by uttering the words to the effect that “they will continue with the bombing of vital installations and structures of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland” and did thereby contravene the said acts.

He is said to have uttered words to the effect that Musa ‘MJ’ Dlamini and Jack Governder, who died in a bomb blast at Lozitha overhead bridge, were heroes and they died while PUDEMO needed them the most. He is accused of making these utterances on September 27, 2008 at KaLanga in the Lubombo region at the funeral of Dlamini.

About two weeks ago, Masuku appeared at the High Court of Swaziland before registrar Lorraine Hlophe for a pre-trial conference, where it was announced that his trial was expected to take off on September 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Masuku has been behind bars for over 280 days now since he was arrested in November last year.

Masuku is represented by lawyer Thulani Maseko of T. R Maseko Attorneys, who is also facing terrorism charges in his own capacity.

The first names of the witnesses are not indicated in the summary of evidence but only their abbreviations appear with the surnames.

‘I am not bitter’, says Mario Masuku

2009-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

BY MUSA HLOPHE

Sunday Times Aug 16, 2009

He and I last met at a funeral of my late senior sister in law, Ms. Dudu Dlamini, at Ekutsimuleni, in October 2008. It was at this funeral that we learned about our likely arrests. He was subsequently picked up in November 2008, and has been there ever since. At first I avoided visiting him because I knew that I was on the line as well, and then, secondly or later, because of the ban on visits.

But that was soon to be overthrown by the courts, thus opening the opportunities to visit him. On Monday this week Jan Sithole and I just felt the urge to want to visit Mario Masuku in prison. We drove in Jan’s car, got at the gates, where we were well treated, being asked to fill the forms, indicating who we were visiting, and stating our relationship with that. We indicated that we were visiting Mario Masuku and that we were his friends. We were then allowed in by very polite officers. Yes, they were very polite and obliging, a sign of good training in human relations and the exercise of power. Keep it up Bafana beMbube!

Once inside the premises, and having given the guard officers the document about our mission, we were made to wait, and it was a very long waiting, I tell you. But, as were waiting, something else happened. We saw somebody coming, running, and the person looked like one Ignatius B. Dlamini, former Secretary General of the now banned PUDEMO. Indeed it was him.

The three of us sat there, outside, chatting away time and trying to catch up on things of the struggle. For Jan and myself, it had been over nine months since we last met Mario, and a little longer when we last met IB. Therefore, the whole thing presented an opportunity for a good re-union of some sorts. But as we were enjoying the chatting, the officers called us in, again, politely asked us to be searched before we were ushered into room where Mario Masuku was waiting for us.

What a sight! Though separated by the strong fence or cage, we were able to push our fingers to touch him and stretched our hands to demonstrate our hugs of him! By this time we were fighting away our tears. It was so wonderful yet so painful. I have still not fully recovered from it, and I think I am likely to feel like that for sometime.

I saw in Mario, the extent of the cruelty of Swaziland’s evil political system of Tinkhundla; a decent and innocent individual like Mario Masuku rotting away there, simply for the pleasure of the ruling elite. It is totally unforgivable, I do not care what others may think of this. It is evil by men on men.

Mario told us his reasons for not applying for bail. He reasons that if he were to apply for bail, he would get it, and then never to be brought on trial, but being asked to report to the police station for the rest of his life, without being afforded an opportunity to defend himself or getting convicted. To support his argument, he pointed to the very I.B. Dlamini we were with. He reminded us that I.B. Dlamini and 15 others had been out on bail since 2006, and are being inconvenienced by having to report to the police since then without their matter coming to court. He could not live with that. He simply wants to be brought before a competent court and defend himself, because he believes in his innocence.

But it was very visible that he misses his family and his freedom. He told us that he did not wish, even for his worst enemy to spend even one night in that place. He says one night is a thousand nights long.

This is how he feels. He praises his family for being there for him during this trying time in their lives. He was happy we were there, all this time, wiping away tears, just as we also were struggling to appear strong, even the likes of Jan Sithole, whom we take as a source of strength, I saw him fighting away his tears. After all, we are all just human, when one hurts, we hurt too, and when it causes one to cry, we cry too, its as simple as that. We are also fragile, at least I know that I am extremely fragile when it comes to these things.

When we asked him if he was bitter about his incarceration: he said: “I am not bitter at all. The Prime Minister and his Government are just doing their job, or at least, this is what I think are their reasons for putting me here. What will hurt me the most though, is if I am here because some body wants to spite me, that I may never forgive, if I were to find that I am here because someone simply wants to see me suffering”.

You know, this is quite amazing, coming from a person who has been in and out prison, for the sole reason that he dared to challenge the evil system of Tinkhundla, which is his right as a citizen. Yes, he is not bitter.

Mario appeared at peace with God. He actually preached to us, (being a preacher of the gospel himself) reminding us, that his being there, is the will of God, so long as his motives for doing what he is doing are clean, and not coming from evil thoughts. He saw himself as a tool in God’s hands for His purpose in this Nation, to be peacefully transformed from this oppressive system to democracy. Though painful to be where he is, he sees it as God polishing him for His purpose, and that his faith means that he must be submissive to God’s calling.

With that said, we decided it was appropriate that we held our hands in prayer, and we prayed to God to give him strength, while thankful to Him that His man knew and understood His leading in even in the situation in which our Comrade finds himself. Amen.

Mario follows what goes on in this country, through the media. He told us how grieved he was when he read my article on the tribute to the late MJ Dlamini’s father’s death. He told us that he was still grieving hard because of this death, especially because he could not attend the funeral. He asked me to send his heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Dlamini, Make UlaKhoza, and her family, and tell her that he prays for their strength to cope with their loss. He told us that he was shocked too to read about the untimely passing away of his friend, Tom Mbelu. He says he could not come to the terms with that death. He said either myself or Jan or both of us, must make efforts to pass his condolences to Mrs. Mbelu and her family.

He then spoke about one of his pastors, who happened to have died just having visited him in prison, and the two of them having prayed together, he grieves for this pastor as well.

May all these families, I have mentioned here, find comfort in the knowledge that, even while incarcerated himself, and should be primarily concerned about his own welfare, Mario Masuku is concerned about others more than himself. If I happen not to see you in time, may you take comfort in the knowledge that we had you in our prayer at the prison with a detained suspect, who happens to care about you!

Please be comforted.

Mario Masuku also shared his concerns about the way the progressives were prosecuting the struggle. He actually chastised us for the apparent luxury of bickering among progressives. He had harsh words for those involved in what he sees as unnecessary contestations over political spaces between political formations and the larger civil society. He said any political entity which does not see the advantage with the mass democratic movement, was doomed to fail, and made his incarceration to be in vain. He told us, that those who sympathized with our struggle from outside, were not impressed with a fragmented progressive movement. He told us that each time he saw a sign of squabbling among progressives, his spirit sank, and made his time in prison totally unprofitable.

You know, those of you who have read the Apostle’s address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, as he was about to live for Jerusalem, where he knew he would arrested and possibly killed, will see a similar attitude and mood in Mario, as he addressed us. As if he saw some lack of understanding on our part, he said, in a loud voice: “Look here comrades, no one is greater than our struggle, and therefore, no one must ever try to privatize the struggle. You comrades must go out there and unite the movement, both inside and outside the country. This country looks to you for leadership, and future generations will only inherit a democratic state, if progressive forces learn to work together.”

I tell you, that was a good telling. We just sat there, listening to a natural leader sharing his insights and his vision. Of course Mario is right, there is nothing as disheartening as to see progressives squabbling among themselves. You do not see that among traditionalists and supporters of Tinkhundla. That does not mean that there are no squabbles within this group, but what it means is that this group is able to deal with its internal squabbles discretely.
Progressives can learn from that.

We salute Mario Masuku for the tough choice he has made, to stay in there, for a greater principle. I know is that, even though each night is like a thousand nights, however, there is greater pressure on the system, which has always prided itself with the claim it had no political prisoners. We now have Mario, whom we have denied access to speedy justice, may be because we know we do not have a winnable case.

What ever the case may be, Swaziland is on trial each day Mario spends in detention, and, as it was the case with Nelson Mandela, Mario’s detention makes him the symbol of our struggle. It also makes a mockery of Swaziland’s claim to peace making. If Swaziland can boast of having given peace to Zimbabwe, and now to Madagascar, but decide to keep in jail those we should be making with here at home, then its claim is hollow.

Mario is one of those fellow citizens we should be making peace with and not put them behind bars, with a hope that the problem will go away. Only the unwise do that, and we need to be a bit wiser in dealing with our own internal differences.

Mario, as you read this article, know one thing, you encouraged us on Monday, so much so that we feel a sense of renewal in ourselves, in prosecuting the struggle until victory is won. Swaziland shall be democratic some day, we only pray that it happens in our lifetime.
Long live the spirit of freedom, long live Swaziland!

Swaziland Solidarity Network submits this memorandum to mark 271 days of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku’s incarceration

2009-08-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

13 August 2009

To: The High Commissioner of Swaziland in South Africa

Attention: Mr. M. Mswane

From: Swaziland Solidarity Network- South Africa

MEMORANDUM OF DEMANDS TO THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND

The Swaziland Solidarity Network submits this memorandum to mark 271 days of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku’s incarceration. We bring to your attention our strong objection to his continued imprisonment upon trumped up political charges.

Your regime is bent on intensifying its subversion of Swaziland peoples democratic rights to belong to a democratic country. A non-existent link between PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and provisions in your unconstitutional Suppression of Terrorism Act has been created to silence his political leadership.

Many more citizens including women and young people are victims of your regime’s dictatorial policies, of banishment, exile, detention, starvation, lack of proper health infrastructure, education and deep poverty.

We demand of your regime to unconditionally release Masuku from prison and recognise the legitimate rights of your people to put forward the demand for multi-party democracy.

Your regime has perpetrated scores of human rights violations against political activists, trade unions, the media and anyone that criticizes your popularly rejected system of Royal political rule.

A ban on Political parties has been legislated since 1973. Laws are perverted to reign in activists who are subjected to widespread detentions and inhuman treatment. They are constantly threatened and intimidated including through the introduction of the public service bill.

Your regime is the most corrupt in the entire continent and is entirely responsible for the suffering and misery of the poor Swazis.

The decimation of foundations for a democratic respect for the rule of law is insulted by the King placing himself above the constitution.

Your regime has issued threats against public servants who belong to political parties. It is your aim to dismiss them of their jobs once the public service bill has been passed.

It is against that background that we place to your regime the following demands:

The Unconditional and immediate release of PUDEMO President Comrade MARIO Masuku and all political prisoners

The dropping of all the ridiculous charges against Thulani Maseko

A democratically elected constituent assembly to develop a new constitution to lead the country into a constitutional Multi-party democracy.

Removal of the draconian 1973 decree which bans political parties

An end to the harassment and intimidation trade unions and other organisations in exercising their legitimate political and other trade union activities.

The unconditional return of all exiles

Swaziland must comply with the AU's Charter on Human and People's Rights

We demand a response within 7 days of the submission of this memorandum.

Signed:…………………………………….. Date…………………………

Recipient: Swaziland Representative

Signed:…………………………………….. Date…………………………

Submitted by: SSN Representative

For more information contact:

Lucky Lukhele-SSN National spokesperson

072 502 4141

DPP bringing Advocates for Mario trial

2009-08-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

DPP bringing Advocates for Mario trial

MANQOBA NXUMALO

Swazi Times Aug 12, 2009

MBABANE- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be bringing South African Advocates for the soon-to- commence trial of political prisoner Mario Masuku.

Masuku has been in jail since November last year facing charges of terrorism or alternatively sedition in that he supported acts of terrorism by his utterances during the funeral of the late lawyer and political activist Musa MJ Dlamini.

The American Embassy long declared Masuku a prisoner of conscious.

Yesterday, DPP Mumcy Dlamini confirmed that she will be bringing the advocates to prosecute when the trial commences in September. The High Court Registrar has since slotted the trial to start next month and take a period of ten days.

The name of the judge that will try Masuku has not yet been named.

“Yes we are bringing in advocates and going to them as we speak,” was all Dlamini could say when asked by this newspaper if they were planning on bringing advocates.

In the summary of evidence against Masuku, the DPP states that Masuku went to a funeral of the late MJ and introduced himself as the President of PUDEMO. She states that at the funeral he told the mourners that MJ was a hero who had died for the liberation struggle of Swaziland. She adds that Masuku also told the mourners that as PUDEMO they would continue to bomb structures of the government. She has listed six witnesses that will lead evidence against him.

Masuku is represented by senior lawyers Paul Shilubane and Thulani Maseko.

After 264 days in jail, Mario will be tried in September

2009-08-08T03:58:00.000-07:00

After 264 days in jail, Mario will be tried in September

By MANQOBA NXUMALO

August 08,2009 Swazi News

MBABANE- Yesterday marked 264 days since PUDEMO President Mario Masuku was arrested.

If his public showing yesterday were to be used to judge his morale, then his comrades will be relieved to know that he is still as defiant and determined as ever.

Masuku appeared before High Court Registrar Lorraine Hlophe for his trial conference together with Lozitha alleged bomber Amos Mbulaheni Mbedzi. The two seemed happy as they belted out smiles, cracked jokes and at one time, Mbedzi even attempted to do the customary toyi-toyi while chained in leg irons.

Masuku was dressed in a formal black suit with a red tie, while Mbedzi was casually dressed in a khaki jacket, pants and white sneakers. The injuries that Mbedzi suffered on the night of the alleged explosion last year have completely healed, with only scars and a badly damaged eye the only indications that he had a close shave with death.

In fact he had even removed the bandage that used to cover his head when he made his court appearances at the Magi-strate’s Court last year.

The tight security at the High Court was indicative enough that Masuku was to appear in court together with Mbedzi as the High Court premises were littered with both uniformed and plain clothed police officers, monitoring every move made by the political prisoners.

On their way to the exit point, the two were accompanied by a large police Casper truck, loaded with armed to the teeth police officers. There were also two other security cars, one from the police and the other from the Correctional Services that closely monitored the accused persons.

In attendance in court yesterday were over 100 people, mainly drawn from the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) and the Ex- Miners Association, who, coincidentally, had also come for their Free Education case yesterday.

So defiant was the PUDEMO chief that after all the court processes, and while being taken to the Matsapha Correctional Services, he shouted to the people who had come to see him ‘Amandla’ sending his followers, who had attempted to barricade the road that was going to be used to ferry Masuku away, to wild excitement. The SWAYOCO members then burst into songs about PUDEMO and Mario.

The pre-trial conference was conducted at the offices of the registrar and not in open court. It was attended by Masuku’s two lawyers Paul Shilubane and Thulani Maseko, as well as Mbedzi’s lawyer Leo Gama.

Masuku and Mbedzi told the registrar that they would both plead not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had instructed Thabiso Masina to represent the crown.

Masuku was told that the state will parade six witnesses who will testify against him, while Shilubane said they will not reveal their witnesses this time around as they wanted to see how strong the state’s case was against Masuku.

About 500 Danish people honour Mario

2009-06-09T02:45:00.000-07:00

About 500 Danish people honour Mario
By MANQOBA NXUMALO
Swazi Times June 09,2009

MBABANE- Close to 500 people attended a launch of a Swaziland Democracy Watch at the May Beats festival in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen.

The event was in honour of Mario Masuku who is leader of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) an organisation banned in Swaziland.

The Swaziland Democracy Watch held a photo exhibition about the ‘strong and fighting Swazi people’ and the ‘freedom fighter Mario Masuku’ at a big festival held Denmark last weekend. According to information sourced from Nanna B. Olesen on behalf of the organisation, the attending guests were exposed to the exhibition and informed about Mario Masuku and his imprisonment.

Later on, many of the guests wrote greetings to support Mario Masuku. “It was a very successful presentation”, explained Marie Hvelplund, a member of Swaziland Democracy Watch.

Swaziland Democracy Watch says it will, in the near future, send these greetings to Mario Masuku while he is inside jail.

“A lot of people said to me before they came to this festival, they didn’t know anything about Swaziland,” said Anne Bech, a member of Swaziland Democracy Watch.

Swaziland Democracy Watch is a newly founded solidarity group that fights for democracy in Swaziland.

Jailed Mario’s lawyer takes govt to court

2009-06-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

Jailed Mario’s lawyer takes govt to court
By MANQOBA NXUMALO
Swazi Times June 09,2009

MBABANE – Human rights Lawyer and also Acting President of the Law Society Mandla Mkhwanazi has also filed an urgent application at the High Court against government.

In his application he expresses discontent over how he is allegedly made to take off his shoes and socks when consulting jailed PUDEMO leader Mario Masuku at the Matsapha Maximum Prison. Government will today file its responding papers and the matter is set to commence before Judge Jacobus Annandale today.

He also alleges that he is now being made to consult Masuku over a fence at the visitor’s room and in the presence of prison warders and that these are the new rules with regards to attorneys that appear on behalf of Masuku. Judge Jacobus Annandale could not listen to the urgent application yesterday as he was reportedly out to see a dentist.

Mkhwanazi, who forms part of Masuku’s legal team and also lawyer of jailed human rights attorney Thulani Maseko, alleges that when he goes to consult with Masuku, he is told to take off his shoes, socks and then searched all over the body. He states that he has tried to negotiate with the warders that besides their conduct being inhuman, he had caught flu and would not want his feet to be exposed to the floor but his argument bore no fruits.

“Initially when I came to consult with my client, we would be given an office within the prison and consult behind closed doors with privacy and in confidence with my client. I remember one occasion I was allowed to consult with my client inside an office inside the Maximum Security Cells but still enjoyed reasonable privacy and confidentiality. On or about April 22, 2009 I went o consult with my client in prison.

For the first time a ‘head to toe search’ was conducted on my body. I did not mind same as it was explained to me that it was a rule but the search was conducted under strenuous protests by myself as it only came by way of mouth as opposed to uniting in an institution like the Maximum prison of the country,” alleges Mkhwanazi. Consult He argues that he was astounded when the prison officers took him to the general visitor’s room, where he was told to consult with Masuku with a high fence separating them. “There is no privacy in the general visitor’s room, since, despite the all time presence of a warder during consultation, other inmates and warders then get access to our conversations which are supposed to be private and confidential. Having complained to the senior officers at the prison that the new set up defeated the whole principle of ethics on confidentiality between attorney and own client, I was only advised that, it was yet another new rule (sic),” he alleges.

He alleges that given the above problems, he eventually failed to consult with Masuku. He argues that yesterday he prepared answering affidavits on behalf of his client under civil case 1753/09 with the intention of having them commissioned for subsequent filing in court.

He said he was told to undergo what he calls the most humiliating, degrading and inhuman treatment ever to be subjected to himself as an attorney and officer of the High Court. He said the new rules that have been passed were that he would consult Masuku over the general visitor’s room and that he would have to undergo head to toe searches.

Mkhwanazi also said he would have to remove his shoes and socks before he could have an access to Masuku. Mkhwanazi is worried that he has was now being treated like convict who is strapped naked and searched all over the body when he wants to see his client.

Mario Masuku criticizes the Swazi Constitution

2009-06-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

With assistance from Pretoria, on April 12, 1973 Sobhuza II infamously declared: the Constitution of Independence had “failed”; it was the cause of “growing unrest”; it had permitted “undesirable political practices”; and there was “no constitutional way” to amend the Constitution. A State-of Emergency was declared and Sobhuza II assumed supreme power (Kuper 1978). Parliament was suspended for five years and when it reopened the royalist's tinkhundla system began to be enforced. The Constitution which was suspended in 1973 was eventually replaced thirty-three years later.

In the brief video clip below, PUDEMO President lists the shortcomings of the so-called "new" Constitution. Masuku has been an outspoken critic of the Swazi regime for years and they think he can be silenced by prison. VIVA Mario VIVA!

Lawyer of PUDEMO President Arrested

2009-06-03T04:36:00.000-07:00

PUDEMO media statement, 3 June 2009

The Swazi regime has gone mad beyond recovery!

Advocate Thulani Maseko, lawyer of PUDEMO President was arrested yesterday on charges of TERRORISM!

This is a clear indication that the Swazi regime wants to do away with all human rights activists.

Thulani Maseko is a founding member of the Swaziland Association of Students, former president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Swaziland, former Secretary General of PUDEMO, founding member of Lawyers for Human Rights Swaziland, founding member and chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly.

He has represented many comrades in their legal battles against the regime including the successful case by the ex-miners in which the court ruled in favour of the people for free education.

Advocate Maseko is a well respected lawyer around the world, having been recently invited by the Foreign affairs Minister in the UK and the EU to state the case for Swaziland.

It is not clear as yet where he is kept and what is happening to him.

But we fear for his life.

PUDEMO International Relations
c/o Head of Publicity
Manzini, Swaziland

cell numbers
268-607-3453 (Swaziland)
27-73-142-7594 (South Africa)
27-82-923-1401 (South Africa)

European Ambassador is friends with political activist Mario Masuku.

2009-05-29T04:19:00.001-07:00

Ambassador is Mario’s friend

By SENZO DLAMINI

Swazi Times May 29,2009

EZULWINI – Retiring European Ambassador Peter Beck Christiansen is friends with political activist Mario Masuku.

Masuku, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement, is currently languishing at the Matsapha Maximum Correctional Institution awaiting trial. He was incarcerated in December under the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008. Christiansen yesterday stunned all and sundry when he sent special greetings to the PUDEMO chief.

This was during the European Day Celebrations held at the Boma Restaurant.

“A special greeting goes to my friend Mario Masuku,” he said much to the deafening silence of the over 50 people who attended the event. “I’ve known Mario since I came here five years ago.”

Opposition

The ambassador also thanked what he termed as opposition parties, civil society and the entire private sector for being open to their cooperation.

“Finally, to my staff in the delegation – thanks for the job done in supporting me and projecting Europe in Swaziland – keep on fighting the battles in a positive spirit,” Christiansen added.

The Nation interviews PUDEMO’s President in prison!

2009-05-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

Sikelela Dlamini, Swazi journalist and educator, has written about the latest issue of The Nation which features an interview with jailed PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku.

To read this post see his blog at:
http://s1kamd.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/the-nation-interviews-pudemo%E2%80%99s-mario-masuku-in-prison/

UK Govt hosts Mario’s Attorney

2009-05-17T04:07:00.000-07:00

UK Govt hosts Mario’s Attorney
By MAKHOSI MAGONGO
Sunday Times May 17,2009

MBABANE—Local attorney and human rights activist Thulani Maseko recently travelled to the United Kingdom on the invitation by the country’s Foreign and Commonwealth Minister, Lord Malloch-Brown.

This is contained in a classified letter written by the minister to leaders of a labour organisation known as Unite the Union, which was intercepted by this publication.

Maseko met officials from The Commonwealth Secretariat, Amnesty International as well as those from an organisation known as the death penalty project.

“In March the Foreign and Commonwealth Office organised the visit of a leading human rights lawyer from Swaziland, Thulani Maseko, who is defending the leader of PUDEMO, who as you note has been in prison since November 2008,” he states, in response to a letter written by Unite the Union joint Secretaries, Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley.

Maseko reluctantly confirmed the trip this week.

“It’s true that I went there and met a few people from different organisations to discuss burning issues in Swaziland,” said Maseko, who is the coordinator of Lawyers for Human Rights.

“I gave them a full briefing and we thereafter made projections to the future; how we envision the future considering the current state of affairs,” he said.

silencing

He said the main issue discussed was the contentious Suppression of Terrorism Act, where the common view was that it is used (or abused) in silencing dissenting voices.
“Such legislation is used in many countries, developed or underdeveloped. However, in our case people can see that it is not used to target real terrorists. In Swaziland, a terrorist is anyone with a dissenting view. Clearly, this (fighting terrorism) is an international drive that is now being abused by government,” he said.

He said the representatives from the organisations he met were interested in knowing more about the Mario Masuku case. “The focus on Swaziland is inevitably mounting, at least according to the people I met. The critical concern is to see Swaziland moving towards democracy using acceptable means,” he said.

He said that members of the Death Penalty Project are also interested in Swaziland, as the country’s constitution is vague on the issue of the death penalty. It is widely considered that the death penalty is still effective in Swaziland. “The constitution leaves this issue with judges to exercise their discretion when handing down judgement,” he said.

“They (Death Penalty Project) made an undertaking and commitment that action will be taken if need be,” he said.

He said it is important for the British government to see progress in Swaziland as its former protectorate.

“Above that, Africa has committed to multiparty democracy. Even SADC rules share the same spirit. Therefore, there is no reason for Swaziland to be different,” he said.

A brief autobiography

2009-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Lowly, humble beginnings

I am the sixth born from a family of five boys and five girls. My father Malcom, the famous Sihlahla, was a worker- a mineworker, and later a cattle guard under the Ministry of Agriculture to be specific. He was based in the Shiselweni region until he retired from government. My mother, Fakazile popularly known as Mavalane, was just a simple and humble housewife born from a Zwane family.

There was an interesting contrast between my parents. My mother never saw the inside of a classroom, but grew up herding cattle and later working as a maid in farms. On the contrary, my father was educated and very well educated by standards of the time as he got trained as a teacher at the then prestigious Adams Mission at Amanzimtoti.

I grew up in the lowly, but humble village of Makhosini located about thirteen kilometers from Nhlangano town, past Ngwane Teachers College in southern Swaziland. Our homestead has always been situated very close to the banks of Umfuzane river. Like all young boys, I passed through the experience of looking after the family cattle. I eventually enrolled in the local Makhosini Primary School. Life was never easy at all. It was quite usual for me and my siblings to occasionally run out of school fees, sometimes as low as 50 pence. My tasks included taking the cattle to the dipping tank and looking after them after school and on weekends. Each day became a duplicate of the other with me going to school, coming back in the afternoon, eating whatever there was and changing clothes. Then I would run as quickly as I could to the veld to relieve those who were looking after the cattle.

In 1966, while doing standard six, I and a local boy, Raymond Ndlangamandla got invitations to enroll for Form 1 at Evelyn Baring High School provided we passed our examinations. Evelyn Baring, situated in Nhlangano, was a prestigious ‘whites only’ school that had recently been deracialized. We were to become part of the first contingent of ‘black’ students to enroll in this school. Early in the following year, I was on my way to my new school. The first born and eldest sister, Dudu, had to walk me to this new school where I became a boarder and for the first time in my life I had to sleep and stay away from home!

At the time my father was involved in party politics in preparation for a democratic Swaziland that was under British colonial administration. He was a member of the Swaziland Democratic Party, a political party that also involved the likes of Sishayi Nxumalo, Dr Allen Nxumalo and many others. My elder brothers Patrington and Thanduxolo were also involved in politics. I could only listen to the many informative debates that were taking place around me.

In 1967, the Nxumalos convinced a conference in Mbabane that they were going to attempt to change King Sobhuza II’s party, Imbokodvo National Movement, from within. Consequently they disbanded the Swaziland Democratic Party.

In 1967, I and a friend Charlton Mncwango together with one Shedrice Bhembe were involved in an altercation with one white teacher, a Mr Vall. He had wanted us to play football which we did not like, but had preferred to do something else instead. As punishment, he instructed us to write an essay about ‘Wild Animals in Africa.’ We felt completely provoked and in return, we decided to write about ‘Wild animals from Europe’ that had come to spoil our Africa. I was eventually expelled and had to stay the whole second term and partly the last while looking for alternative space. My father had to come down from the South African mines where he was employed and negotiated my return to school with the then king, but no nonsense principal Mr H S Telford. We had nicknamed him Nsizwa. I then continued with my studies until 1971. During those years, I eventually developed not only into a footballer of note, but also captain and a school prefect.

Two

My Early Political Experiences

At the end of 1971, after writing my final examination, I came straight to Mbabane in search of a better life. Luckily for me, whether by fate or design, I got myself employment at the then prestigious Barclays Bank. At the time there was a huge influx of freedom fighters from both the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Those from South Africa were struggling against the apartheid regime, while those from Mozambique were in a bloody fight for freedom against Portuguese colonial rule. In the process and interaction with these various freedom fighters, I was able to make a lot of friends with whom we shared political ideas and experiences. As a bank worker, I eventually joined the then Swaziland Bank Workers Union and was very active.

While still enjoying my new found life and experience of living in the capital town as a worker, a very strange occurrence just took place. This was like the biblical apocalypse! It was an incident that was not only to raise my political consciousness, but also of many fellow Swazis and the beginning of calculated and systematic oppression of the people of this country. In the year 1973, King Sobhuza II, in what was to be known as the King’s Proclamation to the Nation made a very strange announcement that was to change the political landscape of our country. The King had summoned the Swazi people to his traditional headquarters at Lobamba while parliament was in session. In the proclamation, he announced that he was now suspending the national constitution and assuming all powers including legislative, executive and judiciary powers. This proclamation effectively banned political parties and free political activity in the country.

Subsequent to this proclamation, there was heightened tension, repression and fear orchestrated by the state. In spite of all this, there were growing political activities and discussions that took place underground in an effort to reverse the environment created by the King’s proclamation. I soon found myself amongst a group of such and we eventually formed an underground political organization called the Ngwane Socialist Revolutionary Party (NGWASOREP). Some of our members were former members of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) and the Swaziland Democratic Party (SDP). As a result of our activities, some were detained under the 60 days detention without trial order. Others, of course, decided to go into exile while others including myself opted to remain in the country. Due to the heavy clampdown and the scattering of the members, the activities were seriously curtailed and became non-existent.

However, the student uprising of 1976 in South Africa and those of 1977 in Swaziland were to prove to be a crucial catalyst for the revitalization of political activism in Swaziland which spread into the local university at Kwaluseni.

In 1982, the old king died and soon there was a huge cloud of uncertainty amongst the people of Swaziland - mainly they believed the country could not survive without the ‘wise and magical king.’ Compounding the uncertainty, was the growing tension within royalty with regard to the question on who was to become the next prince to ascend to the throne? In the absence of the king, a supreme council of state, Liqoqo under the leadership of the all powerful Prince Mfanasibili, took charge of the responsibility of governing the country. In the ensuring conflict within royalty, the Liqoqo eventually dethroned the Queen Mother of the nation at the time who was Dzeliwe Shongwe. This did not only infuriate people within royalty, but also a lot of ordinary people within the Swazi populace. This resulted in university students led by a very powerful Student Representative Council deciding to march to the High Court grounds in protest of the dethroning of Queen Dzeliwe.

Me and PUDEMO – the early years

In midst of the deep-seated arrogance and repression by the state, a group of workers, intellectuals and students assembled on the banks of Mbuluzi river near Mantjolo dam on the 6 July 1983. It was in this historic gathering that the People’s United Democratic Movement was born. I was part of that historical gathering. A gathering that gave birth to an organization aimed at uniting the people of Swaziland in the struggle for liberation from the manipulative and oppressive Tinkhundla royal regime.

The organization was born during trying conditions when the apartheid regime in South Africa was in strong collaboration with the Swazi authorities under the rule of Liqoqo. In their collaboration, they mounted the fight against cadres of the South African liberation movements who were in hiding in the country. Our alliance with these organizations dates back to that time.

The Swazi regime further waged attacks on PUDEMO members. As a result of this political repression by the regime, some of our cadres were forced into exile. Such cadres included Jabulani Matsebula, Dumezweni Dlamini, the late Dr Gabriel Mkhumane, Gavin McFadden, David Vilakazi, Lucky Mthembu and others.

In 1986, I was elected into the position of President. It was in this period where we waged a fierce campaign in mobilization and information distribution. I still remember the New Year message I made on behalf of PUDEMO. We called for combined mass resistance by students, workers, the church and the poor against the Swazi regime to achieve a democratic Swaziland. In January 1990, I made a similar call at a New Year ‘party’ that we had organized at Mawelawela on the banks of Usuthu river and was attended by various people across the social divide.

Further addresses were made to the people of Kukhanyeni about the ills of this government. This campaign continued even to other forums. More members were incorporated in carrying out this campaign. Such cadres included the late Dominic Mngometulu and Benedict Didiza Tsabedze. The campaign was so successful that it badly shook the regime to its core. As a result, the state rounded eleven of us and charged with treason. Our trial was at the High Court with Justice Nicholas Hannah, the presiding judge, while Adrinka Donkoh, one Thwala and some South African legal experts prosecuted on behalf of the state. Renowned attorney Peter Dunseith was our defence counsel and instructed one Advocate Elna Revales who was from South Africa.

Immediately on my indictment, my employer Barclays Bank terminated my services. The trial commenced and we were all acquitted of the main charge of high treason, but were found guilty of attending ‘illegal meetings.’ Mngometulu, Peter Shongwe, Sabelo ‘Brazo’ Dlamini and Boy ‘Qhawe’ Magagula engaged in a hunger strike and were subsequently admitted to the Mbabane government hospital. We appealed against the sentence and were successful.

I went back to my employer and negotiated for my reinstatement. In February 1991 I was successful and was finally reinstated and continued with my work.

A New Leadership, New Beginnings

The year 1991 was to be yet another historic chapter in our ever growing and strengthening struggle. It was in this year that we held our congress at Ipelegeng Centre, Soweto because of the very harsh political environment in our country. It was in this congress that Comrade Kislon ‘KP’ Shongwe was elected the new President while I became his Deputy President.

This is where again PUDEMO crafted one of her most important documents, The Way Forward: Towards a Constituent Assembly Through a Negotiated Settlement. We further demanded a new people driven national constitution. We also took a decision to unban ourselves in order to pursue our activities openly and challenge the state and mobilize our people for democratic change.

This is the year in which our youth league, popularly known as the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) was formed under the leadership of our departed young lion Benedict ‘Didiza’ Tsabedze. Working with our youth league, we were able to challenge and exert more pressure on the state.

The domestic pressure consequently led to international pressure being exerted on the state and forcing it to introduce political changes. In 1996, king Mswati III established and announced the discredited Constitutional Review Commission chaired by Prince Mangaliso now carrying the title Chief Logcogco. Twenty nine Swazis including myself were appointed by decree into this commission.

PUDEMO and other progressive formations objected to the terms of reference on the commission put forward by the king. We began to engage the king on the shortcomings of the commission, but we were ignored. The SwazilandDemocratic Alliance (SDA) wrote many letters to the king and his office highlighting the wrongs in the commission and suggested solutions, but no response was ever received.

In 1997, PUDEMO took a strongly resolution to withdraw my participation in this royal project. Shortly thereafter, Jerry Gule, Mhawu Maziya and Nkonzo Hlatshwayo also withdrew their participation from the commission. This left behind chiefs, royal praise singers, stooges, princes and princesses as members of the commission.

The Post 1996 Struggle

As noted previously, 1996 was a politically eventful year for PUDEMO and the country. It was to be a year that heralded even more social unrest and political activities in the coming years post 1996.

In 1996, I was again voted in as the President of PUDEMO. It was in this same year that the country experienced massive labour protests that brought the country to a standstill. I, on behalf of PUDEMO, was unequivocal in publicly expressing our support for the labour protests with their Popular 27 Demands that expressed nothing else except total social transformation in the country. However, this public support was to eventually cost me my job as the Human Resource Manager at Barclays Bank. I was given an option to either support capital or the suffering working class and the poor. As I opted for the latter, I was then made to lose my job.

During these trying times, I had countless meetings with political leaders and other leaders in the broader Swazi society. This even led me into having secret meetings behind closed doors with the king at different times. He was the convener of these meetings. In our engagements, the king openly and completely refused to see and accept any other view that was contrary to his. It became very clear that he was not prepared to see reason and find common ground that would take Swaziland forward. Indeed it was time and energy wasted. Maybe Swaziland would not be in this political mess and crisis if the king had been prepared to see reason instead of demanding to have his way and nothing else!

In the year 2000, the turn of the century, a chieftaincy dispute erupted at Macetjeni and KaMkhweli areas. This was a direct result of the country’s traditional authorities at Ludzidzini brutally imposing the king’s brother, Prince Maguga, as the new chief of both areas. This action and decision automatically meant that the ruling chiefs of both areas were now demoted into becoming ordinary members of their communities. The people in these areas strongly objected and challenged this imposition. After several attempts at resisting this decision, an eviction order was issued by the then Minister for Home Affairs, a brother to the king, Prince Sobandla. Swiftly, the country’s security forces were deployed to these areas to forcefully evict and drive out scores of people from their homes, especially those that were seen as anti-Maguga. They were taken in the still of the night in police, army and government trucks to be dumped in faraway areas unknown to them. This was one of the cruelest acts of oppression ever visited on the people of Swaziland, on the poor and helpless, by the royal rule.

With all these mounting social and political crises, the general Swazi population was thoroughly shaken and it brought both fear and anger on almost everyone save for the royal bootlickers and hangers-on. Consequently, the SDA decided to call for a national gathering in Manzini to deliberate on the ills engulfing the country. However, the state banned such a meeting and deployed its security forces to ensure the meeting never took place. Faced with this danger and arrogance from the state, the SDA resolved to hold this mass meeting outside the country in Nelspruit at Nelsville. Over 5000 people from the country traveled to Nelspruit. After many lengthy deliberations, the Mpumalanga Declaration was drafted. Many resolutions were put forward and one of those was to continuously organize and hold rolling mass action all over the country. It was in October 2000 during one of these mass protests that I was arrested and charged with sedition and subversion.

I was eventually given admission to bail with one condition, that I must report at the Mbabane police station every Friday which I tried very hard to comply with although it was tough and at times annoying!

Beyond 2000

As mentioned before, the bail conditions were felt so unfair and annoying. It made no sense that I was outside the prison walls because the conditions never made me feel completely free. To make matters even worse, the state never seemed prepared to bring me to trial.

In 2001, PUDEMO held her General Congress at Sikhawini in the month of September. After serious and long deliberations, it was resolved that we defy all the bail conditions. I implemented the resolution and never went to report at the police station as expected. In October I was detained for not complying with my bail conditions. I was booked into Matsapha Maximum Security Prison and put in solitary confinement.

I was in detention through the remainder of 2001 without the trial resuming. Sometime in the year 2002, the trial began. The prosecution was led by the Attorney General, one Mr Ngarua. Appearing for the defence team was Advocate Piet Ebersshon instructed by local attorney and friend Paul Shilubane. Justice Josia Matsebula was the presiding judge.

After a long period, the trial was finally concluded in August 2002. I was acquitted of the charges. In October of the same year, I busied myself with seeking solidarity by travelling abroad to countries that included South Africa, Denmark and Holland. Wherever I went, I was able to address large audiences and met influential people on the question of Swaziland and its lack of democracy. In all my travels, I was very successful because from then on many people internationally began to understand our plight and took strong and active interest in our struggle for democracy. In the process, PUDEMO was able to create friends and allies that were to prove very valuable and effective in assisting us to carry the struggle forward.

From 2003 to 2005, there was huge focus on the national constitution making process in the country. It was during those years that I met the Commonwealth Team, ambassadors from the European Union, United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Republic of South Africa and many others on the question of Swaziland. In spite of all these efforts, the king refused to take advice from all these groups and consequently went ahead to gazette a document he called the national constitution in July 2005 at his traditional headquarters at Ludzidzini. However, the constitution was suspended and it became effective in 2006!

In December 2006, I experienced a life threatening challenge when I was attacked by diabetes and pneumonia in combination. I was admitted in the Mbabane Clinic where they failed to handle the condition and was transferred to the Mbabane Government Hospital where I was taken straight into the Intensive Care Unit where I spent 4 days. For the whole of December I remained hospitalized. Very close to the end of December, I was discharged and for the first time went home. This was one of the most trying and painful moments of my life ever.

When the 6^th PUDEMO General Congress was held in Matsulu while I was lying in the ICU. In spite of my medical condition at the time, the delegates elected me as the President of the organization again. I however, spent the whole of 2007 recuperating while doing all I could to serve the organization.

No Surrender…

In life, besides one’s own affairs, there will always be people who make you what you are. In this case, my wife Thembi uLaMkhonta has been my pillar of survival. She has on many instances held fort while I engaged in battles with the state even in the most of trying times. She not only raised single-handedly our six children, but further withstood state pressure and even some derogatory and reactionary advice from all angles. Thembi is the main link between me, PUDEMO, the church, my mother, my siblings and the entire extended family. She has walked and hiked daily to wherever I was incarcerated to come and see how I was doing even if she had nothing to give me. If ever anyone deserved revolutionary humility and perseverance honours, it can be none other than Thembi.

As a freedom fighter, leader and family man, there are moments when you find yourself alone, lonely and helpless. You simply feel conditions around you are in collusion with the state enemy and ask yourself- which way now?

Never in my life have I felt pain like when I lost my son Tsepo in the year 2000. This was because of what he told me about the torture he went through in the hands of the police. But even worse, the assassination of my comrade leader, brother and patriot, the former Deputy President of PUDEMO, Dr Gabriel Mkhumane. I could not and still cannot accept why Dokotela had to depart in this manner. I still shed a tear alone when his memories resurface. The organization, his wife Zoraida, sons and family all lost immeasurably.

I knew Africa Magongo very well and he was no doubt a leadership material for PUDEMO. I also knew that he was not well, but when reports came that he was had gone, I was shattered.

I have cried when we lost comrades Dominic Mngometulu, David Mngometulu, Didiza Tsabedze and many more, but the loss of comrades Musa ‘MJ’ Dlamini and Jack Govender really disempowered me. All these were comrades I knew from their early lives in the struggle and had very high hopes on them. I still respect them even where they are today, deep in the belly of this unkind earth.

I believe the journey must one day come to finality. I remain committed even today to walk this steep and difficult last mile to our freedom. No amount of torture, beating, murder, victimization or incarceration will hinder me from fulfilling the ultimate goal of the fundamental democratization and transformation of Swaziland. I stand by this ideal and will do so all my life. Many times I have said that nobody, yes not even me, is bigger than the people’s organization!

PUDEMO is my life. I will serve the disadvantaged and poor people of my country until POWER GOES BACK TO THE PEOPLE! SURRENDER IS NOT AN OPTION AND SHALL NEVER BE!!

AMANDLA

Warders stripped me naked - Mario

2009-05-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Warders stripped me naked - Mario

By LINDA JELE

Swazi Times May 13,2009

MBABANE – Incarcerated political activist Mario Masuku has alleged that he was stripped naked by over 20 warders during an abrupt night search.

The PUDEMO President alleged that on the night of March 26, 2009 warders stormed into his cell, woke him up, stripped and left him naked in a search that lasted for about 30 minutes. Masuku has been in prison for about six months now on charges of Terrorism and Sedition.

In his founding affidavit filed at the High Court, Masuku further demands to be granted adequate time and facilities to conduct his defence againsta the Terrorism and Sedition charges. The Correctional Services are yet to file their answering papers in the matter.

Masuku further alleged that the warders used violence and vulgar language while conducting their search on him. Though admitting that prison authorities had power to search for undesirable material, he stated that their conduct was not permissible by the country’s constitution.

“I respectfully stated that the Commissioner of Correctional Services must be stopped from unlawfully unleashing his officers to harass and ill-treat me and others at night,” he claimed in his founding affidavit. He mentioned that officers should exercise some level of consideration when searching prisoners. Masuku also alleged that he had not been given sufficient time to consult with his legal representative and to attend to his visitors.

Visit

He also alleged that the prison authorities had told him that there were other people who had gone to visit his relatives. Masuku is represented by Thulani Maseko of TR Maseko Attorneys in the matter.

Maseko who filed a confirmatory affidavit also alleged that Masuku had not been granted adequate time to consult with him. He alleged that the consultation time had been limited to 20 minutes.

“In my view, this is contrary to the fair hearing right guaranteed under section 21 of the constitution,” reads part of his affidavit. Masuku has been in prison since late 2008 and charges of Terrorism and Sedition were preferred against him. He allegedly refused to be released on bail. The matter is yet to appear in court.

Mario Masuku on youtube

2009-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

See a brief youtube video chip entitled:

Free Mario Masuku

Over 14 Danish students barred from seeing Mario

2009-04-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Over 14 Danish students barred from seeing Mario
By MANQOBA NXUMALO
Swazi Times April 09,2009

MBABANE- Over 14 Danish college students who had hoped to visit jailed PUDEMO President Mario Masuku were yesterday denied access to him.

The students came to the country on Monday, but were told by prison officials that they needed to obtain permission from the Correctional Services headquarters and later their embassy in South Africa.

Relating what happened, Mette Madsen said they went to the Matsapha Maximum prison in the morning, but were first told that only three people were allowed to see the jailed PUDEMO President.

They were later told that they needed to have special permission from the headquarters. "We were told that we must not close space (by maximising the number of visitors) for Mario’s wife who normally comes here but we told them that we had already spoken to her and they changed the story to tell us that we needed to get permission from his lawyers. we told them that we had already alerted the lawyers, but we were told to go to the head office," Madsen said yesterday.

The group of students later met officials from the Correctional Services headquarters who told them to seek permission from their embassy.

The students were disappointed that they could not meet Masuku as they will be leaving on Saturday. They are now banking their hopes that their embassy responds before their departure.

The students said they wanted to meet Masuku and talk to him about his stay behind bars as well gather information about the state of human rights in Swaziland. They said they were particularly concerned about the situation in Swaziland because their country had, through the United Nations, funded the making of the Swaziland constitution.

"We want to take the information we get about Swaziland to other human rights organisations as well as media. We also believe that he is innocent until proven guilty and must be treated like that," said Madsen.

Correctional Services Public Relations Officer Nomkhosi Maseko yesterday confirmed that they told the students to get a letter from their embassy. She said this letter must give account of their names and must be addressed to the commissioner. She, however, said such a letter would not be a guarantee that they would see Masuku.

SADC TROIKA MEETING: A SADC OPPORTUNITY TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF PUDEMO PRESIDENT

2009-03-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] PRESS STATEMENT
March 19, 2009

SADC TROIKA MEETING:
A SADC OPPORTUNITY TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF PUDEMO PRESIDENT MARIO MASUKU

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) notes the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation meeting to be presided over by the deceptive Swaziland King Mswati III in Mbabane. The meeting is set to discuss the political developments in Madagascar.

SSN considers this a major travesty, occasioning cynicism of the worst kind, in which one dictator will preside over an attempt to position SADC on the restoration of constitutional democracy in Madagascar.

King Mswati whose country does not enjoy the basic right to a popularly demanded democratic constitution is throwing eggs in SADC face, by hosting this meeting with Pudemo President Mario Masuku still incarcerated since 14 November 2009.

The current situation in Madagascar, forewarned by major social uprisings, results directly from Ravalomanana’s reform of the law on political parties and eventually brazing himself to militarily crush the peoples demonstrations. His actions bear striking similarity to authoritarian projects of Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Mswati in Swaziland. For his part Mswati has crushed all ideals of democracy and freedom, is starving his own people and is married to this doctrine of violations with impunity.

President Motlanthe made an important call to the political leaders in Madagascar, “to resolve their differences through negotiations aimed at ensuring that a solution is found, which is constitutional and will restore peace and stability on the island, as a matter of priority”.

This call should be directed against the hypocrisy of King Mswati, to release all political prisoners including Mario Masuku, to hold direct negotiations with PUDEMO and all political parties, to make way for multiparty democracy based on a new popular democratic constitution.

In reiterating our full support of the people of Madagascar and Swaziland and their right to confront the dictatorship by waging popular demands, we wish to call on SADC to use the opportunity to raise concerns to King Mswati and protest for the release of Mario Masuku.

ISSUED BY THE SSN SECRETARY GENERAL SIKHUMBUZO THOMO

For more information contact
Lucky Lukhele - SSN Spokesperson
Cell: 072 502 4141

Amnesty International bids to mount pressure on SD

2009-03-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Amnesty bids to mount pressure on SD
By MAKHOSI MAGONGO
Sunday Times March 15,2009

MBABANE—Two international organisations are preparing for a global campaign aimed at exerting pressure on Swaziland government’s Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008.
The envisaged outcome from the campaign, which is spearheaded by Amnesty International (AI) and the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association, is to compel government to make amendments to clauses deemed to be in violation of accepted human rights norms.

According to a confidential document that is currently circulating within Amnesty International’s internal structures, the goal of the proposed action is to increase protection of the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly within the context of the government’s implementation of counter-terrorism measures.
The confidential document provides a framework for a campaign on the human rights concerns raised in the recent report prepared jointly by Amnesty International and the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association, titled ‘The Suppression of Terrorism Act undermines human rights in Swaziland’.

It was published on January 8, 2009. The report highlights the organisations’ concern that certain provisions in Swaziland’s Suppression of Terrorism Act No. 3 of 2008 (‘the Act’) contain impermissibly broad language in relation to the definition of ‘terrorist act’ and related offenses, which can be used to justify the violation of a wide range of human rights, including the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

"The provisions of the Act provide ineffective legal remedies and safeguards to prevent these human rights violations and allows for up to seven days incommunicado detention without charge or trial," reads the AI communicate.

Some statements in the AI and International Bar Association joint report were rebuffed by the Prime Minister’s Office through a much criticised statement.
The proposed campaign, slated for next month, by AI and the International Bar Association seeks to encourage all AI sections and members to lobby and write action letters to the Canadian government, as well as the Swaziland government, and its representatives abroad.

"In mid-April, the AI team will issue an action circular update following their upcoming mission to Swaziland. This will include a membership action to provide solidarity to civil society organisations in Swaziland that are under threat, and potential casework," reads the document, which is in the possession of the Times SUNDAY.

The campaign is expected to run until July 31, 2009.

The following key dates have been identified:
1 April 2009: month of global focus on Swaziland as called for by Southern Africa trade unions
2 April 12,2009: Southern Africa Solidarity Conference in Swaziland organised by Southern African trade unions.
3 May 3, 2009: World Press Freedom Day
4 May 25, 2009: Africa Day

The campaign follows a much publicised outcry against the legislation, and subsequent arrests. The organ-isations that protested against it are Civil Society Organisations which include Lawyers for Human Rights, the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) as well as the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) and its regional counterparts. Their concerns were raised during a series of meetings held in Swaziland and in South Africa, a memorable one being a march staged in Sandton, South Africa during a meeting for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) heads of state. SFTU and the SUDF were well represented during the march, that also included members of South African political parties under the ruling tripartite alliance.

Campaign to focus on key trading allies
MBABANE—The Amnesty International (AI) and International Bar Association’s campaign against the government will focus on Swaziland’s key trading allies and trading blocs to compel government to amend the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Approach 1:
According to one of the strategies listed in the confidential document, the first approach of the campaign involves increasing international pressure on the Government of Swaziland to repeal or at the very least amend the Act. The campaign is particularly concerned with seeking an amendment to the definition of a ‘terrorist act’ as the very broad definition here affects most of the other provisions of the law.

"Swaziland is economically dependent on several key countries and trading blocs or political unions. A breakdown of the key countries, unions etc that have some leverage over the government of Swaziland is provided," reads part of the document.
"The Swaziland government has specifically justified its passing of this Act on the basis that it fulfils its obligations internationally to counteract terrorism. This was a strong element in the government’s response to the report of AI and the International Bar Association and in its media comments.

"In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, the international community, through the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, pushed for all states to implement counter-terrorism measures. However, from at least 2005 there was a growing recognition that more attention needed to be given to member states’ other fundamental international legal obligations, particularly under international human rights law. In that year, Swaziland was a member of the UN Human Rights Commission when a resolution was adopted by consensus to appoint the UN Special Rapporteur on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, while Countering Terrorism," reads the document.

Amnesty emphasises the need to act swiftly as this international shift in emphasis is currently being strengthened by the actions taken by the new President of the USA, President Barack Obama, to undo some of the damage caused by George Bush’s administration’s assault on human rights.

It states that President Obama’s commitment to "reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals" offers the opportunity for governments around the world to act collectively to close a dark chapter of history and place human rights at the heart of their counter-terrorism strategies.

Example
"This momentum is already being felt in Swaziland. For example, on the day of the inauguration of President Obama, the US ambassador to Swaziland stated that Swaziland should repeal its counter-terror law as such measures did not work in the US and would not work in Swaziland."

"Against the background of this shift in emphasis internationally, together with Swaziland’s commitments made in the context of bilateral or multilateral agreements, AI’s actions should seek to encourage strong expressions of concern from officials in or representing key countries or trading blocs or political unions about the impact of the Act on human rights. AI will also raise its concerns directly with the government of Swaziland and its diplomatic representatives abroad.

"Coordinators are asked to prioritise lobbying activities and request meetings with key officials and diplomatic representatives of Swaziland in their own country. Membership letter writing is encouraged to support lobbying initiatives and to target the government of Swaziland directly in the absence of diplomatic representation," it advises.

The ultimate goal for all the strategies is to increase protection of the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly within the context of the government’s implementation of counter-terrorism measures.

The second approach suggested in the document seeks to provide protection of the space for the activities of civil society organisations. Most are being viewed with a suspicious eye by government at the present moment.

Approach 2:
The second approach of the campaign is concerned with supporting civil society organisations in Swaziland, the report states.

"The report was disseminated to a number of civil society organisations after publication, and they have told AI that the legal analysis is assisting their own work in public education on the Act and in legal advice to individuals facing charges under the Act," reads the report, on the section dealing with approaches to the coming campaign.

Currently, Amos Mbendzi and PUDEMO President Mario Masuku have been charged under the Act. Charges against SWAYOCO President Wandile Dludlu, who was arrested for organising an illegal rally, were withdrawn by the state recently.

"The Southern Africa team will continue to work with CSOs in the country on this issue."

"We hope that the first ongoing approach of the campaign will substantially halt harassment of civil society organisations and HRDs arising from the government’s misuse of the law to infringe their rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, through raising international alarm at this mistreatment," it states.

"We also intend to focus solidarity action on the organisations under threat themselves, including trade union organisations, to give them support. A solidarity action will be issued in mid-April, and will be accompanied by campaign materials to motivate membership action," states the report.

It further reads: "Individual countries may be able to exert some pressure on Swaziland in the context of their bilateral relations. In regard to the trading blocs or political unions and inter-governmental fora, there will be some requirements which Swaziland needs to meet relating to good governance and respect for human rights. The Swaziland government also values its participation in organisations such as SADC, the Commonwealth, the African Union and the UN."

Mario’s son wins case

2009-03-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Mario’s son wins case
By MANQOBA NXUMALO
Swazi Times March 06,2009

MBABANE - High Court Judge Mabel Agyemang yesterday ordered that Mario Masuku’s son, Mzwandile, be allowed access to consult with his father behind bars.
The matter was finalised in chambers by senior lawyer Paul Shilubane and government lawyer Phesheya Dlamini.
Mzwandile, together with his principal, Thulani Maseko, had filed papers at the High Court, where they wanted to be allowed access to visit and consult with the jailed PUDEMO President.
Maseko wanted the court to declare that Mzwandile be allowed access to consult with his father in his capacity as an articled clerk (practising but not yet admitted attorney).
Judge Agyemang ruled that Mzwandile must not be hindered when he wants to consult with his father behind bars.
Dlamini’s argument to the judge was that government was not per se against Mzwandile consulting with his father as there were few technical problems encountered which could have simply been solved even outside the court.
The matter was eventually finalised by mutual agreement between the two parties, but costs were granted in Shilubane’s favour.

Mario’s son barred from consulting him

2009-03-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Mario’s son barred from consulting him
By MANQOBA NXUMALO
Swazi Times March 05,2009

MBABANE - The High Court will today hear an urgent application brought by Mario Masuku’s son, Mzwandile and his employer Thulani Maseko.

The two want to be allowed access to visit and consult with the PUDEMO President while in jail.

Maseko has filed papers where he wants the court to declare that Mzwandile be allowed access to consult with his father in his capacity as an articled clerk (practising but not yet admitted attorney).

Maseko want the Correctional Services officials to allow Mzwandile confidential access to his father while still in custody.

In his founding affidavit, Maseko states that on the morning of March 2, 2009 he proceeded with Mzwandile to the Matsapha Correctional Services in order to consult and take instructions from the PUDEMO President.

He states that in the past he, together with Mzwandile, had been allowed to see and consult with Masuku without any difficulty.

"Upon arriving and having gone through the first stage of the institution and having signed the requisite gate pass, the applicants were told that only the first respondent (Maseko) would be allowed to consult with the client, the second applicant was denied such access because he is the son of the client. I, the first respondent and the principal of the second applicant, wanted to know what law or regulation, if any, was being used to deprive me of the right to consult with my client in the presence of my articled clerk.

The officer who attended us simply responded by saying he has been given the message to pass to the effect that I would not be allowed to consult with my client in the presence of the articled clerk," reads Maseko’s papers.

He contends that he tried to talk to the superiors of the officer he was dealing with but was told that they were not in. He alleges that the officer then went to consult with a Deputy Officer in Charge and came back to inform them that if Mzwandile is allowed in then there will have to be a prison officer present.

However, Maseko refused the offer and told the officer that they have a court order to the effect that they could have private consultations with Masuku and that in any case Mzwandile was his article clerk.

"I explained to him that it would be improper for me to leave him outside when I have a legal obligation to train him in the practice of the law, especially in this case in which the said Mario Masuku is facing a charge of Terrorism alternatively Sedition. The officer could not accept any of my submissions, stating that there was no way he could compromise, without indicating to me what law or regulation was he relying on to prevent me from exercising my rights," continues Maseko in his submission.

He also argues that in the past he had sent Mzwandile to consult with Masuku without any problems but things have suddenly changed.

Maseko is represented by senior lawyer Paul Shilubane.

Mario’s friends turned back from seeing him

2009-03-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Mario’s friends turned back from seeing him
By MAKHOSI MAGONGO
Sunday Times March 01,2009

MBABANE—Government, through the Correctional Services Department, has once again refused to obey a court order.

Yesterday, some friends and relatives of PUDEMO chief Mario Masuku were denied permission to see him at Matsapha Maximum Prison despite a court order issued by a full bench of judges on Wednesday.

Masuku has been charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, for statements he allegedly made during the funeral service for Musa ‘MJ’ Dlamini, who died during the failed Lozitha bridge bombing.

One of those who were turned back by uncompromising prison warders was Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions chief Jan Sithole and his counterpart from the Swaziland United Democratic Front, Barnes Dlamini.

Sithole confirmed this in an interview.

"They turned us back and the reasons given were not so clear. They told us that only three people per day are allowed to see Masuku. I failed to understand their new arrangement because we were all arrested there at some point, but our relatives and friends were allowed to visit us," said an irritated Sithole.

"We also asked if this was a standing rule, and if such a rule applied to other suspects and inmates. Their response was that it was an instruction from their superiors," he said.

Sithole said they were carrying the court order, but officers told them that it had no effect in light of the strict instructions issued by their superiors.

Sithole lamented the warders’ action, adding that their behaviour gave one the impression that Masuku had already been convicted for the alleged crime.

"In addition to that kind of treatment, he is kept in solitary confinement, as if he is a dangerous criminal," he said.

However, it was reliably gathered that other visitors were allowed to see the suspect prior to Sithole’s arrival.

He went on to state that they were contemplating reporting the matter to the High Court.

"Maybe the courts should unpack the ruling because clearly, the prison authorities are doing as they please, despite the instrument of the court," he said.

The ruling in favour of Masuku was issued on Wednesday. He had applied seeking permission to have his friends, comrades and relatives to see him at the prison.
He has persistently refused to seek bail on the grounds that he does not have money to give to a government that never concludes his cases. He has hopes that by remaining in jail, government will speed up his trial.

The Correctional Services PRO’s phone was not available on the network when sought for comment.

Release Mario campaign kicks off in South Africa

2009-02-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Release Mario campaign kicks off in South Africa
By SWAZI NEWS REPORTER
Swazi News February 21,2009

MBABANE- The Release Mario Masuku campaign kicked off in South Africa as the Swaziland Solidarity Network demonstrators continue to pile pressure on the Swazi authorities to release him.

They further called for a political dialogue.

Demonstrators yesterday gathered at the Swaziland Consulate in Braamfontein to protest about the continued incarceration of Masuku as well as the failure by government to open space for dialogue.

Information sourced from the web is that workers from around the area participated in the protest and were seen submitting their details in large numbers for future contacts.

Picket

The organisations present at the picket included, Congress of South Africans, Wits University Students, the Young Communist League, Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum, NEHAWU, SACCAWU, SACP, ANC and COSATU.

When asked about the reason for joining the protest, Lindokuhle, a Grade 10 pupil said, "I’m a Swazi and I don’t support what’s happening at home. It hurts me to see people being abused especially as girls. We are suffering and it is an honour to be part of an organisation that’s doing something about Swaziland."

A Wits student, Ngoako Matsha said, "Its time for King Mswati to give democracy a chance in Swaziland. People don’t get the freedom they deserve. We should give democracy a chance."

The organisers of the protest were preparing to meet with the Swaziland authorities. Mosala Ramailane, one of the coordinators, said they were not submitting another memo this time around, but would ask the authorities for an official government response to last Friday’s memorandum.

The demonstrations are expected to continue until the release of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUD-EMO) President from jail. The demonstrators last week handed a memorandum through a security guard at the consulate. Representatives of the Swaziland authorities have only in one instance sent a Consular to collect the statement of demands from the demonstrators. This was in October 2008 after the government attempted to ban the Southern Africa Social Forum in Manzini.

The consulate has since refused to meet the protesters. Previously, the embassy staff had left offices open and hid themselves in one of their offices for 20 minutes only to send one of their cleaning staff to speak to the protesters.

Copied

Last week’s memorandum was also copied to the SA Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe in his capacity as Chairperson of SADC. There is also an Internet petition website dedicated to the release of Masuku at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-mario-masuku and already has 81 people who have signed it.

Government spokesperson Macanjana Motsa said they were taking this matter up with the Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office Lomathemba Hlophe who will in turn discuss with Foreign Affairs PS in order to maintain diplomatic channels in dealing with the matter.

She said they wanted to maintain the diplomatic channels because this was a matter that involved another country.

...stand-off during Mario’s remand hearing

2008-12-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

...stand-off during Mario’s remand hearing
Swazi Times
December 17, 2008

MBABANE - There was a stand-off between police officers and Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) members during Mario Masuku’s remand hearing at the High court yesterday.

SWAYOCO is the youth league of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).

The stand-off, which resulted in a brief physical confrontation between one police officer and SWAYOCO’s George Hleta, was caused by deliberate refusal by some SWAYOCO members to take orders from the police to keep quiet inside the court.

A defiant Hleta protested at being told to keep quiet and said he would not respect the police because he had a right to freedom of expression.

Shouted
Hleta openly shouted that their mission yesterday was to fetch Masuku and neither judge nor police officer could tell them otherwise. He mocked the police officers sending everyone inside the High Court to stitches.

All this time his SWAYOCO colleagues were edging him on and would from time to time shout viva Mario Masuku, viva the people’s president.

This, however, did not go down well with the police officers who were getting impatient at the jokes and sent one of their own to go and enforce order to the SWAYOCO members.

This did little to silent Hleta who openly told the police officer that he will never respect police officers who also failed to show respect by arresting an old sickly man like Masuku. The officer could not help but watch as Hleta changed the entire drama into one big joke much to the amusement of the people inside court.

Seeing that their colleague was failing to handle the SWAYOCO members, the uncompromising police officers reinforced and confronted Hleta together with his comrades.

After failing to reason with the defiant SWAYOCO members, one of the police officers decided to physically manhandle Hleta something that led to a confrontation between SWAYOCO and the police officers.

The situation was saved by the arrival of Chief Justice Richard Banda.

Mario challenges Terrorism legislation

2008-12-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

Mario challenges Terrorism legislation
By Swazi News
December 13, 2008

MBABANE- Jailed PUDEMO leader has challenged the constitutionality of the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

In an urgent application filed at the High Court yesterday, Masuku alleges that every citizen must have the capacity and opportunity to speak freely about the government and the king where governance is concerned. He alleges that the Act is not only oppressive, but colonial and has no place in a Constitutional State in which Swaziland claims to be.

"In my respectful submission, it has always been customary practise to criticize the king as the leader of the nation, without inviting sedition and subversive activities. I submit that these actions are worded in such a wide manner so much that it effectively vitiates the fundamental rights and freedoms in an open democratic society," reads Masuku’s papers. He said his incarceration would not come into an end until trial and that given the backlog of cases his trial would not come any time soon.

Masuku is represented by human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

Bishops denied permission to see Mario

2008-11-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Bishops denied permission to see Mario
By WELCOME DLAMINI
Swazi Times November 27, 2008

MBABANE – A delegation of religious leaders was yesterday morning denied permission to see jailed politician Mario Masuku.

Led by Bishop Meshack Mabuza of the Anglican Church, the men of the cloth, who included Bishop Ncamiso Louis Ndlovu of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Musa Biyela of the Lutheran Church and Phillip Hlophe, an executive member of the Swaziland Council of Churches, were turned back by warders upon arrival at the Matsapha maximum prison.

In an interview, Bishop Mabuza said they arrived at the prison at around 11 am with the hope of seeing Masuku, only to be told that it was impossible for them to see the president of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).

Mabuza said a warder, identified only as sergeant Zwane, told them that Masuku could only be visited by close family members, including his doctor and lawyer.

"The warder told us that the court had ruled that only special visitors would be allowed to visit Masuku and this left us greatly disappointed because we never expected such.

"We tried to reason with him but he was unrelenting and told us that we should go to court and seek an order that we be allowed to see Masuku," Mabuza said.

Mabuza said they then asked Sgt. Zwane to take them to his superiors, but he could hear none of that request and simply told them to leave.

Clarification
The Bishop said they then called Masuku's lawyer, Thulani Maseko, for a clarification and interpretation of the court order barring people from visiting the imprisoned politician.

"The lawyer said maybe the interpretation by the prison officials included barring people like us Bishops from visiting Masuku," Mabuza said.

Mabuza said they would not be seeking any court order because that would take a lot of time and money, resources that were not easily available.

...they wanted to give him spiritual guidance
Swazi Times Nov 27, 2008

MBABANE – Religious leaders said their intention of visiting jailed political activist Mario Masuku was to give him spiritual guidance.

Bishop Meshack Mabuza said they wanted to pray for and give encouragement to the imprisoned Masuku because that was what they, as spiritual people, are supposed to do. "As things stand, Masuku has been denied spiritual counselling and then you wonder how the man is supposed to cope with what he is facing," Mabuza said.

Mabuza mentioned that the treatment Masuku was getting may be worse than what Bin Laden would get if he was to be apprehended. "It is now as if the heavens have given up on Masuku, and government should question itself on why he is being denied spiritual guidance," Mabuza said. Mabuza said Masuku could do with some counselling and they would not give up on him because they did not despair when it comes to spiritual matters

The World says…about Mario's arrest

2008-11-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

The World says…about Mario's arrest
Swazi News
Nov 22, 2008

Siteki, Swaziland - Swaziland opposition leader Mario Masuku was charged on Monday with terrorism and remanded in police custody, court officials said.

Masuku, leader of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was arrested last Saturday as part of a crackdown under the country's anti-terrorism laws.
He made no plea at the magistrates' court in Siteki, about 180 kilometres (115 miles) east of the capital Mbabane, as he made his first appearance before the judges, according to an AFP reporter at the hearing.

His case will come up on November 24 at the High Court of Swaziland, the officials said. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Swaziland is Africa's last absolute monarchy and political organisations have been banned since 1973. The king makes all key government appointments.

King Mswati III, who ascended the throne at age 18, has the power to appoint the prime minister, the legislature and the judiciary. Masuku, 56, a vocal campaigner for multi-party democracy, was arrested in the mid 1980s for treason, a case he later won on appeal.

Swaziland is one of Africa's poorest countries, with one of the world's highest HIV rates, and some have blamed the state's spending for draining Swazi-land's finances.
A series of small bomb blasts have rattled the country in recent months. The banned Umbane People's Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

New York Times, United States of America
Mario Masuku, an opposition leader in Swaziland, which bans political parties, was charged with terrorism on Monday after his arrest over the past weekend.

He entered no plea in a court in Siteki and was remanded to police custody.

Masuku, a champion of multiparty democracy, was charged with making statements encouraging the bombing of government property, the BBC reported.

News 24- South Africa
Mbabane - Police have arrested a Swaziland opposition leader as part of a crackdown under the country's anti-terrorism laws, his family said last Sunday.

People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) leader Mario Masuku was arrested last Saturday and was being held in eastern Swaziland 180km from the capital, his son, Mzwandile, told AFP.

Police raided their home just outside Mbabane on the pretext that their father was a terrorist, he said. "My father is expected to appear in court on Monday morning," he said.

Swaziland is Africa's last monarchy. Political organisations in Swaziland have been banned since 1973, and the king makes all key government appointments.

His country is one of Africa's poorest, with one of the world's highest HIV rates, and some have blamed the state's spending for draining Swaziland's finances. The banned Umbane People's Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for several bomb blasts in the country in recent months.

SITTING ON A TIME BOMB: SWAYOCO NEC statement on the arrest of PUDEMO President

2008-11-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

Swaziland Youth Congress

SITTING ON A TIME BOMB: SWAYOCO NEC statement on the arrest of PUDEMO President

The body of Comrade Bhambatha has been incarcerated before by Mswati and his shenanigans, but his spirit has always eluded these Satanists simply because the infinity of truth is a monolith, no amount of persecution will pervert the nobility of good men and women. Just as good would always ultimately triumph over evil, the very same prison walls stirring at the People's President today, would, far from being an act of revenge, play host to Mswati and his accomplices.

Of late, our palace insiders inform us, Mswati rarely has both the time and capacity to think properly. During the day, he is both flirting and giggling with barely nubile girls or is "consulting" with his evidently senile henchman, Barnabas. And for a better part of the night he is often, very typically, ogling and salivating at the nudity of girls in Big Brother Africa at midnight. A king plagued by midlife crisis!

The despotic performances of the Evil Duet (Mswati and Barnabas) are well documented. The barbaric macabre fashion with which the KaMkhweli and Macetjeni citizens were treated - among other cases - is imprinted and still very new in the minds of great many Swazis. The relentless abuse of culture and land in furtherance of the monarch's paedophilic and feudal agendas, resulting to systematic socio –political and economic disenfranchisement of some citizens compounds our growing frustration at the hands of a junta aided dictatorship. It is in resultant of these sustained frustrations and brutality coupled with the subsequent anathema of progressive formations that has necessitated the emergence of cadres in the form of Umbane operatives. Despondency never defeated adversity!

We note that Mswati is buoyed by – among other things – by the impenetrable refugee in SADC's love and tolerance for warlords and despots hence the deafening silence, at worst, and half hearted generalist calls for democracy in the region, at best. This happens while Swazis continue to live and perish under the longest state of emergency, being spectacularly ravaged by every form of disease and poverty with a privileged few occasionally showing off – in the most theatrical fashion - assets and toys associated with owners of oil deposits and refineries. A glaring paradox!

Cde Mario remains an epitome of the disenfranchised and poor masses of our society. His incarcerations speak of and to the intolerance of the regime. He is being toyed with from one court to another, treated with utmost disdain in front of his long suffering and selfless family. We can not take any more of this. As a youth league of PUDEMO we are continuously confronted by parents and loved ones of youths who were forced out of homesteads because their stay invited trouble for the families, threats of eviction are used to shoo them away. It is such intolerance and brutality – of late clandestinely termed anti terrorism - of dissent coupled with socio-economic inequalities that begets frustration and anger.

Now, as the Youth League of PUDEMO, SWAYOCO has a moral and political obligation and responsibility respectively to preserve and advance the values, integrity and all that PUDEMO stands for. We certainly WILL defend the People's President with all that we have and, by all and any means necessary, we will realise total emancipation. We will cleanse the institution of the monarchy to preserve its sacrosanct nature and remove it from opprobrium's way. And Mswati must either play along or give way, or we will push him!

On behalf of the entire membership of SWAYOCO, the National Executive Committee wishes to register its strongest condemnation on the unjustifiable gross harassment of the People's Leader and call for his immediate release. We have warned before that nobody should ever entertain the thought of having monopoly of violence. In fact the use of violence and any forms of brutality have the tendency to invite reciprocal actions, and if any form of kukhamana is unleashed, we will be equal to the task. Let not the general civility of the average Swazi be misinterpreted for passivity. Indeed our patience is wearing thinner by the day!

Swaziland belongs to all of us; it is not a bequest of a few!

Thabo Hlongwane

International Relations Secretary – SWAYOCO

079 467 577 4

Demand the release of Mario Masuku

2008-11-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

Write to your government representatives as well as these Swazi ministers to demand the release of Mario Masuku:

Prime Minister
Mr Barnabus Sibusiso Dlamini
P.O. BOX 395
Mbabane
Swaziland

Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Mr Ndumiso Mamba
PO Box 924
Mbabane
Swaziland

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr Lutfo Dlamini
PO Box 515
Mbabane
Swaziland

COSATU demands release of PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku, and condemns listing of PUDEMO as a terrorist organisation by King Mswati

2008-11-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

COSATU demands release of PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku, and condemns listing of PUDEMO as a terrorist organisation by King Mswati

COSATU has learnt with shock the news of the arrest of Comrade Mario Masuku, President of the Swaziland democratic opposition organisation, PUDEMO, on Saturday 15 November.

This followed the announcement by the newly appointed Prime Minister, Barnabas Dlamini, of a new law that declares PUDEMO, SWAYOCO, SSN and Umbane to be terrorist organisations.

Swaziland is moving backwards with great speed, to even more repressive measures. Mswati is clearly an obstacle to progress in the Southern African region and particularly to the poor and suffering people of Swaziland.

The army is now literally living in people's houses, without invitation, which is a breach of privacy and personal security. The country is really under siege, merely to protect the interests of one family, the royal family, at the expense of the whole nation.

It is a scandal that he occupies the important position of Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika, which is supposed principally to be responsible for the defence and promotion of democracy throughout the region. In particular it is responsible for trying to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe. It is no wonder that the crisis has not been resolved.

Worst still, if it is true that, as tipped, that he is to become the AU Chair of the Peace and Security Council, then we are in trouble and something must be done now before he messes up the whole continent.

Mario Masuku has been in and out of Swazi jails and has proven to be a real champion of the oppressed and suffering people of Swaziland; hence his continued targeting by the Swazi royal junta. The regime is refusing to accept that it has not won the battle to break his spirit in the past, and still hopes to do so now.

COSATU calls on all progressive and democracy-loving people of the world to take action to force Mswati to change, beginning with the immediate and unconditional release of Masuku and all other political prisoners.

It is a challenge to all South Africans, the alliance in particular, that we still have still surviving next door a regime that has defied democracy for so long. We call for a renewal of an effective global solidarity movement to highlight the plight of the struggling Swazi people, mobilise support for them and engage in practical and sustained activities to expose the situation in Swaziland.

We have just completed our week long, low-intensity boycott of goods to Swaziland and we now need to step it up and engage a high-intensity boycott, which we shall do as soon as we are requested by our Swazi comrades.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets
Braamfontein, 2017

P.O. Box 1019
Johannesburg, 2000
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456
E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za

AFP Swazi opposition leader charged with terrorism

2008-11-17T05:54:00.000-08:00

Swazi opposition leader charged with terrorism

1 hour ago

SITEKI, Swaziland (AFP) — Swaziland opposition leader Mario Masuku was charged Monday with terrorism and remanded in police custody, court officials said.

Masuku, leader of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was arrested on Saturday as part of a crackdown under the country's anti-terrorism laws.

He made no plea at the magistrates' court in Siteki, about 180 kilometres (115 miles) east of the capital Mbabane, as he made his first appearance before the judges, according to an AFP reporter at the hearing.

His case will come up on November 24 at the High Court of Swaziland, the officials said. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Swaziland is Africa's last absolute monarchy and political organisations here have been banned since 1973.

The king makes all key government appointments.

King Mswati III, who ascended the throne at age 18, has the power to appoint the prime minister, the legislature and the judiciary.

Masuku, 56, a vocal campaigner for multi-party democracy, was arrested in the mid 1980s for treason, a case he later won on appeal.

Swaziland is one of Africa's poorest countries, with one of the world's highest HIV rates, and some have blamed the king's extravagant lifestyle -- financed by the state -- for draining Swaziland's finances.

A series of small bomb blasts have rattled the country in recent months. The banned Umbane People's Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

SSN PRESS STATEMENT on the Arrest fo MARIO MASUKU

2008-11-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

SSN PRESS STATEMENT
16th November, 2008

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) has learnt with dismay about the sudden increase in political repression in Swaziland. On Friday the 14th November, 2008, Mswati's undemocratic regime criminalised political opposition by "banning" legitimate progressive formations and branding them "as enemies of peace, stability, security and national progress, whose sole aim was to plant seeds of division, fear and strife in the Swazi nation" The organisations are The People's United Democratic Movement [PUDEMO], Swaziland Youth Congress [SWAYOCO], Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN], UMBANE. The irony of this banning is that political parties were banned in 1973 in Swaziland. What the latest decree does is essentially to CRIMINALISE progressive political parties in Swaziland.

The illegitimate Swazi government has since demanded that Swazis should resign from these organisations with immediate effect. The banning even goes further, by criminalising "any person found to be abetting, aiding, sympathising with, sheltering and giving any logistical support to these organisations. " This means that any PUDEMO sympathiser is now a criminal.

Yesterday the 16th November, 2008 the People's United Democratic Movement's President Mario Masuku was arrested and subsequently charged for contravening the contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act. According to media reports, the royal police are alleging that Comrade Mario Masuku was found in unlawful possession of "terrorist" literature. These trumped up charges are clearly ridiculous given the fact that the "evidence" was found in Comrade Mario's home a day after PUDEMO was branded a terrorist entity. The PUDEMO president is currently held in Siteki police station in the Lubombo region.

It is clear that the action of the government in arresting the PUDEMO President has nothing to do with fighting terrorism, but is a determined strategy to crush PUDEMO.

The trumped up charges are nothing other than a ploy to try and crush PUDEMO. They have nothing to do with terrorism. By arresting the President (and initially the Secretary General Sphasha Dlamini as well) out of all the members, clearly shows that they think this will be most
effective in debilitating the organisation.

The SSN is not intimidated by these actions and calls for the immediate release of the Peoples President, Comrade Mario Masuku. No amount of repression will deter the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. Neither will we allow Mswati prescribe how struggle against his regime should be conducted.

1. SSN therefore, calls for the international community to isolate Mswati's despotic regime. We further call for the immediate suspension of Swaziland from SADC.

2. We calls on SADC to intervene to the Swaziland political stalemate before it worsens. Let SADC change its reactive strategy to such situations as was the case with Zimbabwe, prevention of a crisis is always better. Furthermore, the SSN calls for the following to be acted on by SADC with immediate effect.

3. We also call for immediate lifting of all draconian laws including the recently enacted Terrorism Suppression Act of 2008.

1. Increase the pressure on the Mswati regime to with immediate effect release comrade. President Mario Masuku and all other comrades who might already have been arrested by the time of releasing this
statement.

2. Lift all draconian laws in place to allow for the country to start working on a transitional period.

3. Unban all political parties and allow for the unconditional return of all exiles.

4. Initiate under the SADC supervision, an all inclusive participative dialogue that will lead Swaziland to a multi party democratic dispensation.

SSN supports unwaivingly, PUDEMO's position over the years of a political negotiated settlement with the Mswati regime. This position the SSN still supports even to this day. The SSN however also supports PUDEMO and uMbane's right to defend the People of Swaziland, its Leaders and its Cadres against Mswati's death squads.

Issued by the Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN]

The first prisoner has been taken in Swaziland King Mswati III’s war against his own people.

2008-11-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

From Swazi Media Commentary
16 November 2008
www.swazimedia. blogspot. com

The first prisoner has been taken in Swaziland King Mswati III’s war against his own people.

Mario Masuku, the president of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was arrested yesterday on terrorism charges after Swazi police raided his home.

Masuku was taken to Mbabane police station, where his lawyers were refused permission to speak to him in private.

The arrest came two days after Swaziland Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini announced that PUDEMO and three other ‘political’ organisations were ‘terrorist’ organisations.

According to the Times Sunday today (16 November 2008) Masuku had been arrested under section 5 (2) of Act 3 of Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008, which deals with the unlawful possession of literature on weapon-making, including ‘books, manuals, documents, pamphlets,
drawings, diagrams, electronic storage devices and tapes’.

Details of the arrest are confused. The Times Sunday was unable to discover what the police were searching for or what (if anything) they found as the newspaper was denied entry into Masuku’s home during the raid.

Two lawyers who went to Mbabane police station to see Masuku were denied access to him by police officers.

The Times Sunday also reported that the Masuku family said Mario’s arrest was ‘an effort to deter the public from engaging in progressive thinking’.

The newspaper reported Masuku’s son Mzwandile saying, ‘We know the cause that our father has dedicated his life to and we support him all the way. We will never accept that he is a terrorist or all the other comrades in the struggle.’

Mzwandile added, ‘We are very assured that our father is fighting a good cause, which is liberating the people of Swaziland. All the hardship he is facing, we believe is part and parcel of his good cause, but we can’t run away from the fact that it’s hard and painful sometimes.’

Link
http://swazimedia. blogspot. com/2008/ 11/first- victim-in- swazi-kings- war.html

Mario arrested

2008-11-16T05:41:00.000-08:00

Mario arrested— for terrorism acts

Nov 16,2008 Sunday Times

by SABELO MASIMULA

MBABANE—A day after government announced that banned political parties are terrorists, People's United Democratic Movement's (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku was arrested and charged for contravening of section 5 (2) of Act 3 of Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008.

According to this act, the PUDEMO president has been found in unlawful possession of literature on weapon-making, including; books, manuals, documents, pamphlets, drawings, diagrams, electronic storage devices and tapes, which is against the country's terrorism bill.

Raid

Masuku's arrest and charge comes after a raid by country's police investigation task team yesterday.

This comes after the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini listed the PUDEMO, Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), Umbane and the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) as terrorists, under the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008 on Friday.

The government said it was satisfied that there was material to support a recommendation under this section when announcing the ban.

This act literally banned the four political parties for life and suggested that its members were not wanted in the country. "Tingaphindzi tilubhadze lakaNgwane," the Prime Minister said on Friday.

Subsequent to this, PUDEMO president Masuku was arrested yesterday morning, after his house had been searched. It could not be ascertained what the police were searching for or what their findings were as this newspaper was denied entry into Masuku's home during the raid.

When Senior Superintended Mike Zwane was approached for comment he confirmed the raid and said there were some findings made which led to the arrest, but he could not divulge the details.

He could not even state what Masuku was charged of. "We did the search at Masuku's home but I can't tell you what our findings were and the name of the charge against Masuku. You will have to attend the court proceedings to get further details regarding this matter," he said.

However, the Mbabane Police station the police were able to disclose Masuku's charge, without any qualms.

When Mario Masuku was called at 11: 30 am he could only confirm the raid and that he had been charged.

"There was a raid but I can't tell you now what happened. I am at the Mbabane police station and I have been charged, but I can't tell you everything about my charge," he stated.

Thulani Maseko, Shilubane fight to see client

MBABANE—Despite recently parting ways,both Paul Shilubane and Thulani Maseko were seen together at the Mbabane Police station yesterday—united by the arrest of Mario Masuku.

When the two arrived at the police station they declared that they were Masuku's lawyers and they wanted to see him. The police at the reception did not easily grant them their wish as they said they had been given strict instructions to the effect that no one was allowed to see Masuku in private.

Demanded

The two lawyers heard none of what the police were saying, as they literally demanded to see Masuku.

"We understand your instructions, but we are Masuku's lawyers and we would like to see him in private. Call whosoever gave you those instructions and tell him/her that Masuku's lawyers are here and they would like to see him," said Shilubane.

The police later obliged as one officer was seen exiting to another room where she made the call to her instructor. She came back and gave the two a response to the effect that they could see Masuku at a corner inside the reception.

The corner was in full view of everyone inside.

Shilubane and Maseko rubbished this arrangement.

"Are we allowed to see our client or not," asked Shilubane.

"You are, but this is the least we can afford," answered the police.

The verbal confrontation went on for about 20 minutes with no ending.

When the TIMES SUNDAY team left the lawyers were still negotiating to see their client in private.

Maseko, when called later, would not comment much on Masuku's arrest.

"We were at the police station to check on Masuku as our friend. I can't give you my or our comment regarding his charge, as that will be pre-empting everything. For now we will let the law take its course. You will all see the events regarding Masuku's case as it unfolds," said Maseko.

Family braces for life of harassment

MBABANE—The Masuku family says Mario's arrest is an effort to deter the public from engaging in progressive thinking.

The family, speaking through Masuku's son Mzwandile, disclosed that they supported the cause of their father till the end.

"We know the cause that our father has dedicated his life to and we support him all the way. We will never accept that he is a terrorist or all the other comrades in the struggle. For us it's no longer an incident, we anticipated such. It's just that we did not know when it would unfold," said Mzwandile.

"We are very assured that our father is fighting a good cause, which is liberating the people of Swaziland. All the hardship he is facing, we believe is part and parcel of his good cause, but we can't run away from the fact that it's hard and painful sometimes," continued Mzwandile.

The family also revealed that raids where police are armed to the teeth are always an occurrence during the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini's term of office.

"In his last term we were inundated with raids which ended with our father being taken away. We never had such during Absalom's (A.T) tenure. We reckon this will be life from now onwards," lamented Mzwandile.

We will fight on - PUDEMO

2008-11-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

We will fight on - PUDEMO

Nov 15,2008 Swazi News
stories BY SIHLE MAVUSO

MBABANE-The People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) will fight on despite the new stance by government on the banned political movements.

PUDEMO President Mario Masuku said they saw it coming and it actually confirms their fears about the new Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini.

He said the new stance by the government will not silence them for their quest to a democratic Swaziland.

"This intimidation, persecution and elimination of our members will not stop us from calling for democracy in the country," he said.

He said people must be aware that PUDEMO was not formed in an office or hotel, but on the river bank of Mbuluzi and that was in 1983," he said.

He said they were expecting government to come up for a dialogue and what they have done is nothing but putting forward their ego and looking down upon the real issues which are affecting the country," he said.

Punishment

He said listing the organisation and its bodies as terrorists' formation and the punishment that goes with being an associate to the organisation is meant to discourage the members of the movement.

"I am not a terrorist and the members of PUDEMO and the other branches are not terrorists. We are responsible citizens of this country who are not asking for anything but our fundamental right which is enriched in their royal constitution," he said.

... you do not scare us - SSN

MBABANE-The Swaziland Solidarity Network has brushed aside the declaration by government to have them listed as a terrorist movement in the country.

The network has laughed out at the government stance, stating that it is really impossible to have it banned because it is not based in Swaziland but in South Africa.

SSN Spokesperson, Lucky Lukhele said government had no jurisdiction on their network because it is for the South Africans who are in solidarity with the Swazis.

"To us this sounds like they are chucking out the South Africans from their country and if that is the case we will not hesitate to move out and actually start by closing out the border and see how that country will survive," he said.

He said SSN was mainly formed by all the labour and political movements in South Africa and they were fully aware of the political problem in Swaziland.

" We will not stop supporting the organisations that are calling for democracy in Swaziland and may we say that whatever programme that we had is going to be put aside and we just want to concentrate on Swaziland and see what will happen," he said.

Link: http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=3124

Incarceration of Mario Masuku 2002

2002-08-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

THE PEOPLES UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (PUDEMO)
Executive Council

8th July 2002
P.O. Box 187
Simunye
Swaziland

Dear Sir or Madam:

Subject: The continued incarceration of PUDEMO President, Comrade Mario Themba Masuku by the Government of Swaziland November 2000 - July 2002 (21 Months without conclusion of trial)

1.0 Fraternal greetings.

Kindly receive our humble greetings in the name of our People's struggle for democracy and social justice in our motherland, Swaziland.

On behalf of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), a movement fighting for the restoration of democracy and equality in our land, let me express our indebtedness to all of our fellow citizens and friends both from within and outside the country for showing solidarity and support to both the President's family and the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) during the continued incarceration of Comrade Mario Masuku.

It is heartening to note that we have brothers and sisters who, because of their belief in human liberties continued to give moral support to our legitimate cause. May our God richly bless you for your good hearts.

2.0 THE INCARCERATION OF THE President.

As you are aware, Comrade Mario Masuku has been incarcerated for over twenty-one months now, having been arrested in November 2000 by the Swazi regime.

He is being kept at the Matsapha Maximum prison under extremely harsh conditions.

We are thankful to the Lawyers for Human Rights (LHS), Swaziland for taking up the case.

2.1 The Crime.

He was charged for a serious crime of SEDITION. There are two counts.
Count 1
This is said to have been committed on the 7th November 2000 at Mbabane old bus rank.

According to the state, Cde Mario Masuku is accused of the crime of SEDITION, which is said to be in contravention of section 4-(1) b Act 46 of 1938 as amended.

He is said to have been " unlawfully and intentionally and in the presence of numerous members of the public and His Majesty's subjects, uttered the following words" … " Phansi ngembuso WaMswati".

The state translates this into the English Language to mean away with His Majesty King Mswati's reign.

Count 2
This is said to have been committed on the 24th September 2000 at Salesian Sports grounds in Manzini.

He is said to have persuaded the churches, schools, colleges, universities everywhere and in every house to be places for revolution. This was to include teachers, traditional healers for the overthrowing of the Tinkhundla System of Government which PUDEMO has been orchestrating for since 1973.

2.2 Bail and Conditions ( 15th November 2000)

Our Lawyers applied on the President's behalf and successfully got bail on 15th November 2000.

Bail conditions;

¨ Released on his own recognizance
¨ Report to Royal Swaziland Police (RSP), Mbabane Regional Headquarters, once a day, by 12:00 noon.
¨ Not to address public rallies without Royal Swaziland Police Commissioner's permission
¨ Not to leave Swaziland without the High Court permission.

From that date, 15th November 2000 to the 31st September 2001, Cde. Mario Masuku complied with these conditions. He did this not because he agreed with them. But to show everyone that he is a peace-loving citizen.

During this time his life was taken away from him by the State. He could no longer fend for his family. He could not go home in the Shiselweni region, some 150 kilometres away during the week as it was going to be impossible to come back to Mbabane by noon.

In short he was in all intents and purposes under house arrest.

The lawyers wrote several letters to the Director of Public prosecution for a speedy trial, but to no avail.

3.0 The Esikhawini Resolution 6th - 9th September 2001.

In its 5th Congress, PUDEMO resolved that if the state does not bring the President to court by the 1st October 2001, he should defy the bail conditions. In particular he should stop the daily reporting.

When the resolution was passed, PUDEMO together with the President were aware of the consequences. However, it was felt it was a correct course of action that was to be followed irrespective of such consequences.

4.0 Re-arrest

As expected, the President was re-arrested on Thursday 4th October 2001.

4.1 Inhumane conditions in the maximum prison.

4.1.1 Health Concern.

Our major concern has been the reluctance and refusal by the State to allow the family to bring the Comrade his medication, as he is diabetic.

There are no doctors that check on prisoners' health concern.

However, whilst this is disturbing, we are not surprised as this is the modus operandi for all oppressive regimes the World over.

The Tinkhundla regime has made many of its citizens suffer under its brute force. We are reminded of the Black Wednesday of the University of Swaziland where unarmed students were brutalized by the armed forces, the brutalization of anyone who has differing views whenever the opportunity arises. Incidents that come to mind include the workers in Big Bend, Mhlume, Piggs Peak and the many episodes where many members of the pro democracy movement were maimed in different parts of the country.

The invasion by the state forces against the peace loving people of rural Macetjeni and Ka Mkhweli are some of the examples of state terrorism by the Tinkhundla regime against its own people.

The maximum prison is one of Africa's inhuman prisons. The conditions are not fit for human habitation. As mentioned, the President's health condition has deteriorated drastically since he was taken in. The sleeping arrangement is such that one prefers to sleep on the concrete floors, which are very cold in winter.

4.1.2 Refusal access to reading literature.

The state has refused Cde Mario Masuku access to reading material. He has been denied basic literature other than some few newspapers.

This is happening though he has not been found guilty by a competent court of law.

5.0 The delay in processing his case in a court of law.

Swaziland, though a signatory to many conventions on human rights, is one of Africa's worst violators of human rights.

For 21 months the state has failed to have the case finalised in a competent court. There is intimidation of both state prosecutors and judges. Judges who have been handling the case were retired. It was after some protracted court representation and political maneuvers that their tenure was extended for a few months. This is meant to intimidate them into ruling in favour of the regime.

6.0 Swaziland, the only known state with a political prisoner in Sub Saharan Africa.

In the Sub Saharan, Swaziland is the only government that is holding a prisoner of conscience, who is accused of advocating democracy and civil liberties. The regime must explain its "peaceful and unique democracy" to the international community. This has indeed exposed the state for what it really is for all those who had given it some benefit of doubt.
What crime is there in denouncing a government that is undemocratic like the Swazi Government. There is nothing seditious about such utterances if indeed they were uttered.

The State has now set a date for trial for the 29th October 2001. Without this defiance this date would not have been set. It should be remembered that Comrade Mario Masuku has been under some form of house arrest without trial for a period of 10 full Months to the day of his arrest.

Constitutional making process - a political sham.

The government has told the international community that it is committed to change in Swaziland hence the King's appointment of handpicked constitutional drafting committee.

As expected a Prince like all three previous committees heads the team. Members of the Imbokodvo Nationalist Movement, a royal political party that changed itself into a permanent government in 1973 when the King illegally overthrew the independence Westminster constitution, largely dominate it.

The continued incarceration of a respectable and peaceful leader of a democratic movement confirm the views of many Swazis that such appointment of a Constitutional drafting committee is nothing but a sham that is meant to feed lies to the citizens and the members of the international community about the will of the government to bring about political reforms.

How do you democratise a society whilst on the other hand you are holding a leader of the main opposition in jail for flimsy excuses of some drummed up charges of sedition?

We, Swazis reject this with the contempt it deserves. We call upon the international community to reject it as well for it cannot continue to be taken for granted by the Swazi regime.

7.0 Court appearance July 8, 2002 to July 11, 2002

Finally, after a long delay, the regime is bringing Cde Mario to court this Tuesday, July 8th 2002.

We are calling for the regime to speedily conclude the case, and allow the courts to rule freely and fairly.

Whilst we have no faith in a justice system that has been crafted to suit the royal family, we would like the judges to be allowed to be impartial and proceed with the case without political harassment and interference.

May the international community put pressure on the regime to allow the judges to continue with the case without being threatened with retirement.

8.0) PUDEMO's request to all sectors of our community, and in particular members of the international community.

8.1 To show solidarity and support to the people of our country.

8.2 To put pressure on the Government of Swaziland so that they can unconditionally release Mr. Masuku and withdraw all charges preferred against him.

8.3 To put pressure on the government of Swaziland to agree to our long-standing request to meet it for an all-inclusive process which will map a way towards a peaceful and democratic dispensation. Such a process will include all sectors of our society, from political formations and the government to civic organizations like churches, the youth, women, labor, and the organisations of employers and owners of business, the people with disabilities. The government, and traditional leaders, and members of the royal family will also be included in such a process.

8.4 Assisting in praying for peace in our land, and in asking God to guide those in power to choose and embrace peace than violence.

8.5 Members of the African Union should assist Swaziland to exclude herself from the Union as she has failed the political litmus test for being a deserving member. This is because her policies continue to violate the Union Constitutive Act particularly the main Objectives and articles on democracy, Human rights, good governance, and the rule of law.

8.6 Members of the international community should stop wasting their taxpayers' money on this regime. The royal circus disguised as Constitutional drafting committee is nothing but fattening ranches for members of the royal family and its few supporters. Millions have been wasted on these shams since 1996 with no constitution to show for.

Just yesterday, it was announced that the Swazi regime has splashed a whooping E450 million (E1 = R1) to purchase a private jet for the King. This is happening against a backdrop of starvation in the country where the international community is donating tones of maize to save lives.

8.7 Isolate Swaziland in all spheres; economically, politically, culturally, sports, and communication.

8.8 Support to the Movement for democracy, and the family of Cde. Mario Masuku. Such support could be financially, education for the children, and any form that could promote democracy in Swaziland.

Through our convictions and yearning for freedom, and our commitment to peace, we will continue to fight for our inalienable rights. It is our unshakeable belief that one-day we shall join the community of nations, which have embraced the principles of freedom, peace and justice.

We call upon the people of the Africa to help us cross the political rubicon without bloodshed.

Yours in the struggle for peace and justice,

Ignatius Bonginkosi Dlamini
The People's Secretary General