ACTIVIST KILLING: READ ALL ABOUT IT

The newspapers in Swaziland are today (15 May 2010) giving a lot of space to the death in jail of democracy activist Sipho Jele.

The Weekend Observer, a newspaper in effect owned by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, reports that Jele will be buried tomorrow (Sunday 16 May 2010) at Ncabaneni as Jele’s family wanted. They had been told that permission would not be given because of Jele’s past political activity. LINK

The Swazi News, an independent newspaper, reports that Jele’s aunt Juliet had been summoned to Ncabaneni Royal Kraal in the Manzini region to explain who Siho Jele was and why he should be buried at Ncabaneni. LINK

The post-mortem on Jele’s body took place yesterday with an independent pathologist appointed by Jele’s family present. The pathologist requested that no details of the findings should be made public. LINK

The Observer reports that workers’ unions yesterday (14 May 2010) peacefully delivered a petition to Barnabas Dlamini, Swaziland’s illegally-appointed Prime Minister, to protest at the death of Jele. About 100 protestors took part. The workers want a senior judge assisted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to chair an inquest into the death. LINK

The Swazi News reports that Swaziland’s labour and civil society organisations do not want the inquest into Jele’s death promised by the Prime Minister. Instead, they want an independent investigation that would be chaired, preferably, by a senior judge. LINK

In a typical attempt to discredit the protest march, the Observer managed to find a row among the marchers. But even the Observer had to admit it was only a ‘minor scuffle’ with a ‘verbal showdown’ about the route of the march. Hardly worth reporting at all. LINK

The Roman Catholic Church has joined the protest over Jele’s death. The Swazi News reports that Father Pius Magagula and Father Thulani Mabuza from the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace joined the protest march. LINK

The Observer reports that former Liqoqo (the advisory council to the king) member and Senator Chief Magudvulela has called for calm and unity in dealing with the matter of Jele’s death. This follows the protest march by labour and human rights activists that took place yesterday to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister. LINK