SWAZILAND: Opposition leader freed

BY NORM DIXON

The democracy movement in the tiny southern African country of Swaziland is celebrating the August 22 High Court acquittal of opposition leader Mario Masuku on a charge of sedition.

The charge against Masuku, leader of the opposition People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was based on his involvement in a peaceful protest march in November 2000. Political parties are banned in Swaziland which is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III.

There were repeated shouts of "Viva Comrade Mario, viva PUDEMO" as Justice Josiah Matsebula pronounced the final verdict, stating that the state had failed dismally to prove its case.

"This is not my freedom, but the way forward for the freedom of the people of Swaziland who are living in oppression", Masuku told 500 supporters outside the court in the capital, Mbabane, after his acquittal. He called for more pressure to be applied to Swaziland's regime to submit to democratic change. "The powers that be in the country are now shaking. I must warn you that you must be ready for persecution, as the regime is now thinking of more intimidatory tactics against dissent", he said.

While he was addressing his supporters, police with sjamboks threatened to assault them if they did not disperse. However, the democracy supporters defied the police by loudly singing political songs. Later, street vendors and other people cheered as Masuku drove away.

From Green Left Weekly, September 4, 2002.

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From GLW issue 507