We are very sorry to inform readers of the news that a PUDEMO member* has been killed by the police.
When the police came to raid him on Saturday last week, he ran out of the building.
The police then shot him and claimed that they had found some dagga in the house.
There is a protest march planned for tomorrow in Big Bend to protest the killing.
On this 16th day of June, 33 years after the youth of Soweto defiantly challenged the ruling apartheid regime, we are saddened over another tragedy in Swaziland. Yet we are certain victory is for the people and our martyrs will not be forgotten.
*[Name will be released after family has been fully notified.]
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Bail for Advocate Maseko
(Photo: Lawyer Thulani Maseko with PUDEMO President Mario Masuku.)
Advocate Thulani Maseko appeared in the High Court of Swaziland today.
He was admitted E15,000 (US$1500-1700) bail and released.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Lawyer of PUDEMO President Arrested
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)
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)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Arrest in Manzini
Yesterday cde Slovo was taken because of having pamphlets and the police wanted to keep him away of the action today.
Comrades, be informed that in the confrontation with the police some comrades were arrested the number is around four.But then, it might not be only those four because we were just running when they arrested the comrades.
Mostly those arrested were wearing Release Mario t-shirts.There were also casualties in the police force also.
Mostly those arrested were wearing Release Mario t-shirts.There were also casualties in the police force also.
The leadership will correct the number
Update on the mass action in Manzini Swaziland
The protest action organized and led by the Council of Swaziland Churches has taken place in the city of Manzini today to protest against government's failure to implement free primary education as ordered by the High Court of Swaziland.
Protesters assembled at Freedom Square as early as 8 am coming from all four regions of the country. The march within the city eventually started at about 10:30am with protesters expressing their anger and other fundamental demands in addition to that of free primary education. These were expressed in messages on placards, pamphlets, t-shirts, revolutionary songs, speeches, etc aimed at the oppressive regime in Swaziland. Such included the release of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku; scrapping of the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008; the return to constitutional multiparty democracy.
The march continued until 13:00hours.
As expected, confrontations with the hostile security agents took place. The general assessment is that the protest action was a great success judging on the number of protesters who braved the hostility of the state's security agents.
Protesters assembled at Freedom Square as early as 8 am coming from all four regions of the country. The march within the city eventually started at about 10:30am with protesters expressing their anger and other fundamental demands in addition to that of free primary education. These were expressed in messages on placards, pamphlets, t-shirts, revolutionary songs, speeches, etc aimed at the oppressive regime in Swaziland. Such included the release of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku; scrapping of the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008; the return to constitutional multiparty democracy.
The march continued until 13:00hours.
As expected, confrontations with the hostile security agents took place. The general assessment is that the protest action was a great success judging on the number of protesters who braved the hostility of the state's security agents.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.
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.
"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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
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!
Good news indeed!
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