Campaign to free Mario
gathers pace
Kenworthy News Media, 13 January, 2015
Hundreds of unions, parties, politicians and individuals from all over the
world have signed a petition to demand the release of Swazi political activists
Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini, including the International Trade Union
Confederation, British trade union federation UNISON and the African National
Congress, writes Kenworthy News Media.
The ANC has issued a statement, calling “for the release of comrade
Mario Masuku and all other political prisoners in Swaziland”, and last year the
Danish ambassador raised the matter of Mario Masuku’s trial with Swaziland’s
king Mswati III.
Mario Masuku is the president of the People’s United Democratic
Movement, or PUDEMO, a party or movement fighting for democracy and
socioeconomic justice in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Swaziland, where over
two thirds of the population survive on under a dollar a day.
A cold prison floor
But even though the support warms the heart of Mario Masuku, he still has had to sleep on a cold prison floor at the Zakhele Remand Centre in Manzini since he was charged with sedition for having shouted “viva PUDEMO” on Mayday last year. He is charged under the Swazi terrorism act, an act that Amnesty International has called “inherently repressive”. If convicted he could serve 15 years in prison.
But even though the support warms the heart of Mario Masuku, he still has had to sleep on a cold prison floor at the Zakhele Remand Centre in Manzini since he was charged with sedition for having shouted “viva PUDEMO” on Mayday last year. He is charged under the Swazi terrorism act, an act that Amnesty International has called “inherently repressive”. If convicted he could serve 15 years in prison.
Mario Masuku is 63 years old and suffers from arthritis and diabetes.
According to PUDEMO’s Secretary General, Mlungisi Makhanya, who is himself
charged with terrorism for having worn a PUDEMO t-shirt, Masuku has ”developed
a life-threatening infection on his left foot which needs an operation”.
Last week, when Mario Masuku was visited by Lawyers for Human Rights, he
complained that the conditions are “deplorable”. He has therefore applied for
bail on two occasions to be able to seek treatment for his ailments in
neighbouring South Africa.
Both applications for bail were turned down because the judge claimed
“the security of the country would be threatened” if he was to be released,
even though Mario Masuku has always campaigned peacefully for democracy and
never advocated violence.
“My second home”
Mario Masuku been imprisoned many times, as well as harassed and charged for all manner of things, by Swaziland’s police forces and legal system since he helped form PUDEMO in 1983. So many times, that he often refers to prison as “his second home”.
Mario Masuku been imprisoned many times, as well as harassed and charged for all manner of things, by Swaziland’s police forces and legal system since he helped form PUDEMO in 1983. So many times, that he often refers to prison as “his second home”.
When Mario Masuku was imprisoned for 340 days awaiting trial on similar
charges of terrorism in 2009, the case was laughed out of court in a matter of
hours and Masuku released when he was eventually brought before a judge.
Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini’s case is set to continue on February
5.
The campaign to free Mario Masuku and his co-accused, the Secretary
General of PUDEMO’s Youth League, SWAYOCO, Maxwell Dlamini, was initiated by
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung – Southern Africa, The Red Green Alliance – Denmark,
Action for Southern Africa – United Kingdom, Africa Contact – Denmark, and the
Swaziland United Democratic Front.
You can sign the petition to demand the release of Mario Masuku and
Maxwell Dlamini here: http://afrika.dk/indhold/free-mario-masuku-and-maxwell-dlamini
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