PRAYER FOR MARIO MASUKU

SUCCESSFUL PRAYER FOR MARIO MASUKU

As the trial of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku draws closer, the organization organized a special prayer session that was held in Manzini today beginning at 2pm. It must be noted that this activity was successfully done.

Present among those gathered in prayer were members of the Masuku family together with Mrs Thembi Masuku, wife to the President.

Speakers in the session included representatives of Swaziland National Union of Students, Swaziland Labour Council, PUDEMO Youth League and Masuku’s younger brother Julian. All the speakers spoke in one voice, emphasizing the need for justice to done in Swaziland , but most importantly the liberation of the people of Swaziland from the oppressive and corrupt royal regime.

Leading the prayer item on the agenda was Reverend Shabalala from the Lutheran Church in Manzini, the very church that provided the venue. In his sermon, the Reverend reminded all that it is God’s will and expectations that those in power must always provide the led with justice at all times; and when there is injustice, God will always fight on the side of the oppressed.

It was indeed a successful two hours of prayer and words of wisdom in the quest for the liberation of the oppressed people of our country. We as PUDEMO know that many people in Swaziland believe in the cause we are fighting and the ideals that Comrade Mario stands for. Outside Swaziland we also know that people are doing a lot in solidarity with Mario and the suffering people of our country. Soon the illegal regime will give way and the power it stole from the people through a coup in 1973 will be restored.

Contact

PUDEMO Head of Publicity

Zakhele Mabuza +268 607 3453

STATEMENT ON THE MARIO MASUKU TRIAL

PUDEMO STATEMENT ON THE MARIO MASUKU TRIAL 14 September 2009

The People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) wishes to alert both the Swazi public and the international community on the coming trial of its President Mario T Masuku.

Masuku was arrested in November 2008 less than 24 hours after the oppressive and undemocratic Swazi royal regime had ‘banned’ the organization describing it as terrorists. This is all because PUDEMO has over the years dared to challenge the regime to stop its dictatorial tendencies, human rights abuse, corruption, nepotism, harassment, lack of democracy, etc. For this, PUDEMO has been viewed by the regime as its greatest threat to its continued oppression of the poor masses of Swaziland.

On the 21 September, the trial shall commence at the High Court of Swaziland in Mbabane at 9am. The resilient members of PUDEMO, from all corners of the country, shall again descend on Mbabane in support of their President. They will be joined by the democracty seeking people of Swaziland under the banner of the Swaziland United Democratic Front. This is because Comrade Masuku’s detention has become a symbol of oppression for the people of Swaziland!

This will be a contest between freedom and oppression; justice and injustice. The defence team comprises fearless lawyers for human rights, who have over the years stood by and defended the oppressed people of Swaziland without fear of this brutal regime. There is Thulani Maseko (is himself out on bail on charges of sedition), Leo Gama, Mandla Mkhwanazi and Paul Shilubane. The regime has unashamedly run to South Africa, a democratic country, to seek legal assistance in its fight to sustain its injustices and oppression on the people of Swaziland. Whoever shall take this offer must be condemned and discouraged, for the rewards are no different from blood money!

Meanwhile a prayer service is being planned in Swaziland for the coming weekend in preparation fro the commencement of the trial. We are also encouraged by the planned protest action by COSATU for the release of Mario Masuku on 25 September. A lot of activities internationally are currently taking place where people are calling for the release of Comrade Mario and the introduction of multiparty democracy in Swaziland. The Swaziland Solidarity Network is one of such.

Comrade Mario is fine and ready for the road ahead. The family also remains strong and fully behind him for they know that this is not only about them, but the fight for the oppressed masses of Swaziland.

However, as usual, the state will be unleashing its brutal security apparatus to intimidate, harass and even assault people who will be attending the trial. But we shall remain resolute in support of our President and the fight for democracy in Swaziland.

Contacts

National Head of Publicity Zakhele Mabuza +268 607 3453

Deputy President Sikhumbuzo Phakathi 0731427594

Secretary General Sphasha Dlamini +268 608 9783

The Planned COSATU Visit To Swaziland

PUDEMO PRESS RELEASE
Sept 7, 2009

The Planned COSATU Visit To Swaziland

As stated in our last statement, that because of the international campaigns meant to highlight the struggles of the poor and oppressed masses of our country, the international community is positively responding. As PUDEMO, we wish to welcome the decision by COSATU to send a strong delegation into Swaziland on 16 September.

Amongst other things is to visit the incarcerated PUDEMO President Mario Masuku. This is a huge step by COSATU and is an indication that they not only preach, but practice international solidarity wherever there is injustice. It is the very same action they undertook in the case of Zimbabwe where the opposition was being subjected to repression of untold proportions for daring to call for change and social justice.

This visit will be a truly enriching experience for COSATU. A lot is happening behind the ‘ Swaziland peaceful iron curtain.’ This is the land where people with dissenting voices:

• Have their houses and families constantly raided for unclear reasons.
• Are victimized in different forms.
• Are kidnapped and tortured at will by the security agents of the state who later will deny any responsibility because they are protected by the regime they serve to remain in power.
• Are constantly subjected to threats and fear with cruel and inhuman pieces of legislations.
• Have their families instructed how they must conduct funerals.

Surely the curtain is slowly lifting and the regime will be exposed for what it really is. We hope more of such will continue to happen for the international community has a huge role to play in assisting the people of Swaziland overcome the political crisis they are facing. In Zimbabwe and Madagascar , the international community intervened and now is Swaziland ’s turn, for the people urgently need democracy, peace and social justice! The regime cannot hide anymore with all the atrocities it is subjecting its people to.

PUDEMO Press Release - 5 September 2009

PUDEMO Press Release - 5 September 2009

1. The Global Week Campaign on Swaziland

The campaign has unfolded with a very high measure of success in highlighting the struggles of the poor and oppressed masses of our country led by The Swaziland United Democratic Front, labour organizations and international allies. We wish to salute our international friends for continuously extending their solidarity and realizing that Swaziland cannot remain and continue to be a threat to democracy in the SADC Region. We continue to maintain that Swaziland is in a huge political crisis and no amount of denial can resolve it. We believe the only way towards solving the crisis is to:

o Release PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and all other political prisoners currently out on bail.

o Allow the return of all political exiles unconditionally.

o Unban all political parties and a return to constitutional multiparty democracy.

o Repeal all unjust laws including Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008, the proposed Public Service Bill, etc.

o Allow the people of Swaziland to write their own constitution.

As a result of the campaign, we expect more and more true international friends of the struggling people of Swaziland to come into the country in the near future to assess the situation and take the message forward as opposed to the those who come in the name of ‘tourism, cultural experiences and diplomatic strengthening of relations’ when our people are oppressed and dying. No amount of “public relations” by the state will cover up the existing crisis.

2. The abduction of Wandile Dludlu

The President of PUDEMO Youth League (SWAYOCO) was yesterday kidnapped and brutalized by the state security agents. He was physically tortured and assaulted leaving needing urgent medical attention. What the state has done is not new. On a continuous basis members of PUDEMO has been raided and brutalized on the pretext that they had guns or knowledge to that effect. This is a hallmark of dictatorships and regimes that illegally ascended into power. They become so desperate that they use any available cruel strategy to silence dissenting voices and prolong their stay in power. We condemn this act by the state and its agencies. We therefore call upon the international community to apply more pressure on the status quo for the democratization of Swaziland that will come with the respect for human rights.

3. The Human Rights Commission

This is an exercise not worth commenting about. It is of no significance and is not in the interest of the oppressed masses of Swaziland . You only have to look at its composition and the backgrounds of the commissioners to realize that this is another grand scheme of issuing awards to loyal supporters of the status quo. After all no public institution will ever function to truly and honstly advance the lives and welfare of the ordinary people under the existing status quo.