Swazis should brace themselves for mass arrests following King Mswati III’s declaration of war against his own people.
Musa Hlophe, Coordinator of the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO), warned that the Swazi Government had to be seen to be doing something to counter ongoing terrorism acts.
The comments come after Mario Masuku, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was arrested on Saturday (15 November 2008) for allegedly breaking the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008.
In a report in the Swazi Observer today (17 November 2008) Hlophe is quoted saying, ‘Terrorism for any State is a menace, regardless of the reasons. So, it's a challenge to those in authority. You should remember that the State has a mandate to protect its citizens.’
Hlophe said in the presence of a law that has certain stipulations regarding terrorism and following the king’s call for an end to terrorism in the country, this put a lot of pressure on the kingdom’s authorities to take action.
‘Whether the assumptions are correct or not is another matter. Of course we expect the courts will clear people but due to the tension in the country, a government can’t be seen to be doing nothing,’ he added.
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