Fraternal Greetings from President Masuku

I visited Cde Mario at Matsapha Maximum Security Prison yesterday March 29th and he requested me to pass his comradely greetings to all of you and to thank you for the untiring support and commitment to the struggle for democracy and a better life for all in Swaziland. Despite his ailing health, Cde Masuku is very determined and strong.

His condition requires that he must be seen by a medical specialist at least once a week but this is not the case. His diet is not monitored and he is not provided snacks between meals to deal with his medical condition.* He has constant blackouts as a result. He only sees a doctor once in a while. He has tooth problems and has requested to be seen by a dentist to no avail. He will not apply for bail because he is aware that the state uses bail to keep comrades in perpetual bondage outside prison.

"They will give me bail at an exorbitant fee with difficult conditions such as taking my passport and to report at the police station twice a week. They will not take the case to trial for many years making me a prisoner in the street. Let them try me and prove my innocence in court. I haven't committed any offence but I have spoken for the rights of my people" Masuku said.

Masuku has made a call for Talks about Talks with the state. He has called upon the Government, SADC, AU and UN to support this process.

He also expressed concern about the prime Minister's statement that members of political organisations will be dismissed from public sector employment. Masuku called upon trade unions in Swaziland and the world to come to the support of the affected comrades.

"This is an infringement of the freedom of association as a basic human right enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Rights" Masuku said.



by J.R.

*Mario suffers from diabetics and doctors have advised against going long periods without eating at least some small amount of food.

Ex-Miners win at High Court

Seems the judge at the High Court has just ruled in favour of ex-miners to say government must enforce free education in all public primary schools.

Good news indeed!

Swazi Poilce threaten political activist with death!

Makhosetive death squads were at it again, yesterday 08/ 03/09.

Former Secretary General of SWAYOCO , Cde. Mduduzi "Shwarz" Mamba was told by police that We are now going to kill you…..for your political activities and "movements” into South Africa...".

He was further told not to leave his area of normal abode lest he gets what he is “applying for”.

This was after he had detained by the Swazi police at the border upon entering Swaziland from South Africa where he had gone on a private visit.

Mamba was then transported to the notorious Sigodvweni police station for “further questioning”. While being transported to Sgodvweni, Mamba notifed some Cdes of his detention by phone.

Cde Manyovu then went to the Sgodvweni police station to ascertain why Mamba was being held and to find out what he was charged with and further demanding his release.

At first the police denied having Mamba in their custody but through Cde Manyovu’s uncompromising insistence, the police conceded that Mamba was present for “questioning” at the station.

He was then released and told that police patience with him had run out and was told “not to forget” what he had been warned about.

Update on SWAYOCO detainees

This morning, five members of PUDEMO Youth League (SWAYOCO), including the President Wandile Dludlu appeared at the Mbabane Magistrate court.

However, it must be reported that no hearing ever took place.

Instead after waiting for approximately one hour, the comrades were taken back to the police station in Mbabane with the intention of bringing them back after an hour.

For more than two hours, nothing has changed.

Seemingly the state and its judiciary apparatus is ill-prepared to handle the issue. They are seemingly not prepared to learn from their past mistakes of effecting quick arrests, but fail to effect justice in the same speed.