News is just coming out of Swaziland tonight (21 September 2009) that Mario Masuku, the president of the banned People’s United Democratic Party (PUDEMO), has been released from jail. He was attending the first day of his trial on a charge of sedition, when within hours he was acquitted. Masuku, probably the best known of the Swazi democrats had been in prison on remand for ten months since November 2008.
The following is a statement issued by PUDEMO
STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF PUDEMO PRESIDENT – MARIO MASUKU – 21 September 2009
The Release
The Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) wishes to formally inform its members, allies and friends both at home and abroad of the acquittal and release of its President Comrade Mario Masuku a few hours ago. He had been charged for allegedly making ‘seditious statements and supporting terrorism.’ He had been in detention since November 2008.
Since his detention and subsequent banning of PUDEMO, Masuku and his organization have remain resilient and refused to be intimidated by the oppressive and archaic tactics of the state. In court, the state failed to provide evidence and information to sustain the fabricated charge, hence Justice Mbutfo Mamba dismissed the case and granted Comrade Masuku his freedom.
Support and solidarity
PUDEMO wishes to express its appreciation for the unwavering support and solidarity displayed by our friends and allies both at home and abroad. They played an instrumental role in adding more pressure on the royal regime to release Comrade Masuku. We know this was only a battle and the war still continues until the total liberation of the oppressed people of Swaziland is released. We have no doubt that you will still be fighting on our side even beyond this trial, for we now need to channel our energies towards ensuring that the royal regime is taken down brick by brick until its foundation is destroyed!
The Legal Team
We mentioned last week that as PUDEMO, we are very pleased with our legal team. This is a team of lawyers who have always fought fearlessly for the rights of the people. We wish to thank them for their excellent work and until Swazis are liberated they must know the challenge is still there and hope more lawyers will realize this and join the fight for the liberation of the politically oppressed and abused masses of our country.
The Masuku Family
Throughout the challenge, the Masuku family has remained in support of Comrade Masuku and has never turned around to curse PUDEMO. This is because the family completely understands PUDEMO’s mission of liberating the oppressed people of Swaziland. We salute Mrs Masuku for her resilence in the face of hostile and challenging circumstances that she was subjected to. But like a true fighter, she has remained strong and focused together with the entire extended Masuku family.
The Wayforward
The release of our President does not mean the people of Swaziland are now free. PUDEMO remains committed to ensure the fully liberation and transformation of our people is realized as it is clearly explained in our document The Roadmap to a Democratic Swaziland adopted in our 6 National Congress in Matsulu in the year 2006. Work therefore shall continue inspite of the dangers, threats, intimidation, kidnappings, assaults, torture, random raids, etc constantly meted out by the oppressive regime on our members. We therefore, shall continue to fight side by side with all our democracy loving friends and allies until final victory!
Amandla!
National Spokesperson –Zakhele Mabuza
Deputy President – Sikhumbuzo Phakathi
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