SWAZI DEMOCRAT STRIPPED IN JAIL

News that jailed Swazi democrat Mario Masuku was forcibly stripped naked by more than 20 prison warders has provoked outrage among progressives in Swaziland.

The Swazi High Court was told this week that Masuku, who has been in jail since November 2008 awaiting trial on terrorism charges, was asleep in his cell when warders stormed in, woke him up, stripped and left him naked in a search that lasted for about 30 minutes.

In an affidavit to the court, Masuku said the warders used violence and vulgar language while conducting their search on him.

Masuku, who is president of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), has also told the High Court that he isn’t being given enough time to consult with his lawyers and to attend to his visitors.

Masuku also said he was being denied exercise and access to newspapers and books.

The mistreatment of Masuku has angered Swazi progressives. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) said it would intensify its Free Masuku campaign. The regular Friday picket in Johannesburg today (15 May 2009) will highlight the 182 days of Masuku’s incarceration. This will be the 15th weekly protest this year to support Masuku.

On Monday (18 May 2009) a memorandum of demands to the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) will be delivered at the opening of the 11th ordinary session of the PAP. Five days will be given to the PAP to act on the memorandum.

A demonstration is scheduled for next Friday to coincide with the closing of the 11th ordinary session. SSN hopes that the PAP President will address the demonstrators and give feedback on the concerns raised in the memorandum.

SSN wants to target the King Mswati III’s personal economic interests in South Africa.

A spokesperson for the Free Masuku Campaign said, ‘Very tough and comprehensive plans are in place. We will soon call a press conference to announce these bold steps. This is the year for Mswati to sweat. We have a duty to assist the oppressed people of Swaziland. The liberation of South Africa will not be turned into the oppression of the Swazi. They too contributed to our freedom.’