07/09/2010 Press Statement
SDC condemns the arrest of PUDEMO Deputy President, Sikhumbuzo Phakathi
The crisis in Swaziland is deepening, so has the resolve of the fighting masses. No amount of arrests and brutal suppression of political and trade union activities will break the profound resistance building up in the country. This was the observation of the SDC South Africa team that was deported after interrogation by Swazi police and intelligence yesterday.
It is in that context that the arrest of PUDEMO Deputy President, Sikhumbuzo Phakathi must be understood. He was arrested around 20h30 yesterday night at the Phongola border post as the Swazi police and army were deporting the South African delegation comprised of COSATU and Swaziland Democracy Campaign activists.
It is known that the treatment of detained activists in Swaziland is a harsh experience none would dare wish to go through. This is worsened by the fact that recently; Sikhumbuzo’s rural home at Hluti was invaded and raided by the Swazi army and police in search of weapons, which in all probability was to build a case for his long planned arrest.
We demand the release of Comrade Sikhumbuzo as we also demand the right of all workers and the people of Swaziland to march and demand a government of their own choice. We further call for the intensification of activities all over the world aimed at mobilising global support for the struggle for democracy in that country.
In this regard, SDC reaffirms that it will be holding a protest action tomorrow at the Johannesburg offices of the Swazi Consulate. The details are:
Venue: Swazi consulate, Braampak behind Civic theatre, Braamfontein
Time: 12h30
Date: 08 September, 2010
For more information please contact:
Ntokozo Mbhele at+27 72 370 0974
Ntokozo@publicservices.co.za
or
Philani Ndebele at
+27 76 942 3565
philani@asc.org.za
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