Swaziland: Arrest of Mario Masuku condemned

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Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

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COSATU strongly condemns the arrest and detention of
Mario Masuku, the President of Swaziland’s People’s United
Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), on 4 October.

Although he was charged supposedly for failure to report to
the police station as required under the bail conditions
imposed on his release from police custody in November
2000, in reality his only crime was to call for the autocratic
monarchy system to be overthrown and replaced with a
democracy.

COSATU demands that the police release details of the
secret police location where Mario Masuku has been taken,
provide him with the medication he needs to treat his diabetic
condition and not be tortured or deprived of his basic human
rights.

PUDEMO have pointed out that deaths in custody are
common in Swaziland and often covered up by attributing
them to natural causes. For a political prisoner with a
potentially life-threatening medical condition, the risks are
especially great.

COSATU fully supports PUDEMO’s statement that if
Comrade Masuku is harmed in any way, the Swazi people
will not be fooled by cover-ups and will make sure that the
international community knows the truth. Masuku must not be
another silent victim of the murderous regime.

This arrest, together with the three-hour detention of members
of the Swaziland Youth Congress last weekend, proves that
the Swaziland monarchy is as repressive as ever. Despite
attempts earlier this year to present a more democratic face to
the world, to the Swazi people King Mswati’s regime is still a
dictatorial, absolute monarchy.

COSATU supports PUDEMO’s call on all leaders and
members of the democratic movement to take up the civil
disobedience campaign and develop a coherent political
programme, to tell the regime loudly and clearly that its time is
up and that the Swazi people will wait no more for their
freedom.

Working people and friends of democracy internationally
should support PUDEMO’s call and show that the people of
the world care about human rights by condemning this callous
act of political banditry with the contempt it deserves.

Trade unions are urged to respond positively to appeals from
the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions to take action in
support or their struggle for democracy and the South African
government must firmly condemn this latest attack on
democratic rights and support the mass movement for
democratic change.

Patrick Craven and Moloto Mothapo
Acting COSATU Spokespersons

[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911

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Contact 082-821-7456 Patrick Craven or Moloto Mothapo for further comment.

Visit the COSATU web site at http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/latest.html for
copies of our most recent press statements. For the full archive go to:
http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/archive.html.

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COSATU takes steps to ensure that any attachments are free from viruses.
You should, however, carry out your own virus check before opening any
attachment. COSATU accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by
software viruses.

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