More arrests are expected following the jailings of Mario Masuku, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and Swaziland’s most prominent human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko.
PUDEMO says that warrants have been issued or are about to be issued on a number of its prominent members.
PUDEMO is banned in Swaziland and was branded a terrorist organisation by Barnabas Dlamini, Swaziland’s illegally-appointed Prime Minister. Members and supporters of PUDEMO face up to 25 years imprisonment under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.
In a media statement PUDEMO has named eight individuals who it says are under imminent threat of arrest. The names include prominent trade unionists in Swaziland and youth leaders.
PUDEMO is calling on the international community to put more pressure on the Swazi regime.
‘The government of Swaziland is aware that they are swimming against the tide. They are losing the grip on the masses. They are applying scare tactics and intimidation. And they want to make sure that when political parties are unbanned, the movement of the people is totally disorganised and in shambles.’
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