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
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
COSATU demands release of PUDEMO President, Mario Masuku, and condemns listing of PUDEMO as a terrorist organisation by King Mswati
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
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
Swazi opposition leader charged with terrorism
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.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
SSN PRESS STATEMENT on the Arrest fo MARIO MASUKU
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]
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.
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
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
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.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
We will fight on - PUDEMO
We will fight on - PUDEMO
Nov 15,2008 Swazi Newsstories 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)