Friday 7 November 2007
PUDEMO leadership Arrested by the Royal Swaziland Police [RSP] at march (Media Release)
The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) would like to inform the world of the arrest of PUDEMO and SWAYOCO leadership and other comrades at the Mbabane old bush rank while preparing to embark on a march to the Prime Minister's office to deliver a petition.
They are currently detained in police vans and have been held there for more than two hours at the time of releasing this statement. The arrested leaders include President of The People's United Democratic Movement [PUDEMO] comrade. Mario Masuku, SWAYOCO Secretary General comrade Thabile Zwane and SWAYOCO Organising Secretary comrade Themba Mabuza.
The march to the Prime Minister's office was to deliver a petition which carried these demands;
1. The bringing into trial of the 15 PUDEMO and SWAYOCO members charged with Treason for alleged the 2005 bombing of government building failure to which drop the charges. These comrades have been out on stringent bail conditions since their release in March 2006. " Justice delayed is justice denied".
2. The releasing to the public of the Commission of Inquiry Report ordered by the then Chief Justice Jacobus Annandale on 10th March 2006 into the torture and assault of the PUDEMO and SWAYOCO comrades during their interrogation and while in detention in 2005/6 on the said Treason charges.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network supports the demands contained in this Petition and calls for their addressing with immediate effect. Furthermore the Swaziland Solidarity Network, demands that ;
·The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson South African President HE Kgalema Motlanthe to removes King Mswati 111 from the position of Chairman of the organ Troika with immediate effect and push for the democratisation process in Swaziland.
·The Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of States Extra-ordinary meeting to be held on the 9th November 2008 in South Africa to put on the Swaziland question on its agenda.
·The Southern African Development Community (SADAC) to adopt the report of the Commonwealth Expert Team dated 24th September, 2008 on the recently held Swaziland National Elections.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) through its Chairperson Cde. Solly Mapaila , has today sent a petition on the Swazi issue to His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa , in his capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This seeks to request him to put more focus on Swaziland.
Issued by the Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN]
For more information contact:
Lucky Lukhele-SSN spokesperson
072 502 4141
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