Mario Masuku, a political activist and leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) incarcerated on the 15th of November 2008 for shouting ‘Viva PUDEMO’, under the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008 and later discharged by the high court on September 21, 2009 after spending 340 days in prison has suffered gross injustice at the hands of the Swazi regime to say the least. To add salt to the injury, Masuku was again arrested on the 1st May 2014 after making a speech expressing his constitutional right to freedom of speech at a Mayday rally and was charged with terrorism and sedition along with Maxwell Dlamini. During his imprisonment, Masuku, has been informed of the deaths of three of his relatives including his mother, he was also informed of the demise of two of his brothers which he has been denied the right to bury because he is imprisoned. During his imprisonment, Masuku, has also been denied access to any form of medical attention by King Mswati III through his government just for fighting for his freedom and for the Swazi people.
King Mswati III is the last remaining absolute monarchy in the world and I feel strongly that the treatment of political activists in Swaziland is wrong and their basic human rights are being denied. The Congress of South African Trade Unions and most recently the European Parliament through an overwhelming majority resolution on the 21st May 2015 have demanded for the unconditional release of comrade Mario Masuku, Thulane Maseko, Bheki Makhubu and all other political prisoners. My reason for joining the Swazi Vigil group of political activists, was because it is my honest belief that what is happening to the people Swaziland is undoubtedly inhumane and undemocratic more so the imprisonment of Mario Masuku is unlawful and unconstitutional.
As a member of Swazi Vigil, I believe that we as Swazis within Swaziland and outside of its borders deserve to be heard and recognised. It is my duty and intention to continue attending political demonstrations outside the Swazi embassy in London until Swaziland gains full multi party democracy which is our objective as Swazi political activists.
By: Bryson Sheffield Zondo
References:
http://www.polity.org.za/topic/mario-masuku
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-8978-163-06