In Swaziland wearing a T-shirt is now considered an act of terrorism.
This was revealed yesterday (18 July 2008) when a man was arrested and charged at the People’s Dialogue in Manzini.
He was wearing a T-shirt calling for the release from jail of Mario Masuku, president of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).
Norman Xaba was charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) which allows for prison sentences of up to 25 years on conviction.
Also arrested and charged under the STA at the same event was Mphandlana Shongwe, who is reported to have ‘chanted slogans’ in sympathy with PUDEMO.
The arrests come as no real surprise in Swaziland where the STA is being used to oppress freedom of speech. Amnesty International, among other human rights organisations, has condemned the use of the act, introduced last year, to stop any criticism of King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, Barnabas Dlamini, the illegally-appointed prime minister and the government.
Dlamini has even gone so far as to threaten journalists with the STA if they publish reports about banned political parties in Swaziland.
It probably comes as no surprise that the arrests were made yesterday by plain clothed policemen who infiltrated the People’s Dialogue, which was called by churches, trade unions and civil society organisations to discuss issues in Swaziland.
Although organisers made it clear the meeting was not about challenging the power of the state, it was widely condemned by supporters of the status quo in Swaziland because it was convened as an alternative to an official ‘smart partnership’ meeting due to take place next month which will be attended by the king and the prime minister.
Supporters of the People’s Dialogue believe previous ‘smart partnerships’ had no value because they did not achieve anything.
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