PUDEMO’s Wonder gets E15 000 bail
BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE
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MBABANE – National Organising Secretary of
the proscribed People’s Democratic
Movement (PUDEMO) Wonder Rodgers
Mkhonta has been admitted to E15 000 bail.
The accused is expected to pay this amount in
cash.
Mkhonta was admitted to bail by High Court Judge
Qinisile Mabuza yesterday.
He has been in custody since April 10, 2013 after he
was arrested by Lavumisa police. The PUDEMO
member was allegedly found in possession of
seditious documents.
Some of his bail conditions were that he should
surrender his passport to the investigating officer,
he should report at the Nhlangano police station
every Friday and that he should not interfere with
crown witnesses.
He was also warned that in the event he breached
the bail conditions his bail would be revoked.
The state was opposing Mkhonta’s application on
the basis that upon his release he might disturb
the upcoming elections.
His Lawyer Leo Gama, however, successfully argued
that Mkho-nta was not a flight risk and that there
was no way he could interfere with crown
witnesses in the event he was admitted to bail
Sergeant Sipho Sitsebe in his affidavit, stated that
it would not be in the interest of justice to admit
Mkhonta to bail because of the seriousness of the
charge preferred against him and because of the
possible sentence if found guilty.
In his affidavit Mkhonta alleged that when he was
arrested, the motor vehicle in which the alleged
seditious documents were found in had not be
driven into the country, but was on neutral
territory between the Swazi and South Africa
border. Sergeant Sitsebe, however, disputed this
and instead he stated that the motor vehicle was
searched upon entering Swaziland at the border
post.
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Cde Wonder Mkhonza admitted to E15 000bail reports the swazi times
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
THE CONDITION OF CDE DERRIC AT SIDVWASHINI PRISON IS A WORRY
Check this.
Communist Party of Swaziland -Campaigns office 8 may 2013
CONDITION OF CDE DERRICK IN SIDWASHINI PRISON IS A WORRY
Today was the third court appearance of the three political prisoners arrested at the APRIL 19 TH SWAYOCO MSUNDUZA RALLY against the Mswati anti democracy elections. 1. Comrades Maxwell Dlamini - Secretary General of (SWAYOCO) 2. Mfanawenkhosi ‘Boer’ Mtshali -Central Committee member of the CPS 3. Derrick Nkhambule - Campaigns Coordinator in CPS Peasant Commission. They are all charged with Sedition and are kept in hostile conditions at the notorious Sidwashini Remand Centre in Mbabane. were all due to appear in the Mbabane magistrate court today. As reported few days ago on the bad health situation of Cde Derrick Nkhambule, he was not able to attend court today as his situation deteriorates. The prison authorities are refusing our cdes access to basics including medical demands. The prison is isolating them because the warders have already issued judgment to the cdes. They denial them rights to fair treatment as a sentence for what they allege treason crime for plotting against Mswati, a crime the prison has already issued a sentence to. Our cdes will not receive the necessary rights in these institutions and the regime is prepared to keep them long under the selectively harsh conditions. This will survive as the Mswati regime continues to deny they are political prisoners when they are because it wants to close the international human rights organisations from setting the standards such prisoners held by such a regime. We call upon international human rights organisations to act against the human rights violations in Swaziland and claim the responsibility over the lives of our comrades for their safely and health. We are encouraged by the ceaseless fight for their prison rights of our comrades even under risky and hostile conditions inside the prison. Their next appearance is the 14 th May 2013 pending committal to High Court. Their representative has already filed papers in the High Court for their bail application. We stand side by side with the families who are battling to cover their family responsibilities at this time of their members persecution by the Mswati regime. We demand for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the Unbanning of political parties and the safe return of all Swazi exiles. FORWARD WITH THE BREAK THE CHAINS CAMPAIGN For details contact; Goodwill du-Pont Head of Campaigns -CPS Mobile: +27794724508 Email: goodwilldpnt@gmail.com
Saturday, 4 May 2013
THE BREAK THE CHAINS CAMPAIGN - BCC
Harassment of political prisoners
Communist Party of Swaziland
Campaigns office
4 may 2013
HARRASMENT AND ILL TREATMENT OF
POLITICAL PRISONERS IN SWAZILAND
Comrades and friends,
It has come to our attention once
again that the political prisoners held
by the selfish tinkhundla
administration have been on several
occasions harassed and ill treated by
prison authorities verbally and
physically.
These report comes after visits to the
comrades held at SIdvwashini prison
in the capital city Mbabane, where
they complained of being insulted by
prison warders , and manhandled at
some point . The comrades have been
subjected to a pre-prison trial on the
cases that we believe are in the
courts , where political warders
accuse them of attempting on the life
of the king and destabilizing the
country, thus they have been denied
some rights ,such as medical
attention .
This act is common with the prison
warders and police in Swaziland
particularly when it comes to political
prisoners. We therefore feel the lives
of our comrades is in constant danger
while behind those walls of
repression
In the 2005/6 treason trial numerous
complains of harassment and ill-
treatment perpetuated by these
authorities emerged , in may 2010
comrade Sipho Jele died in prison
cells after being tortured and
neglected by the prison authorities ,
while in 2011 comrades Maxwell
Dlamini and Musa Ngubeni were
tortured by foreign agents inside
prison facilities , and many such
cases confirm that these prisons
under the mswati dictatorship have
not been converted to correctional
facilities but theaters of persecution
of political opponents of the
tinkhundla system of government.
We call upon the world, human rights
organizations, in particular the Red
Cross and Amnesty International to
act with speed in regards to the
matter. And also urge the support of
political formations and progressive
governments to condemn these acts ,
and cut all ties with the autocratic
tinkhundla administration
For further information contact
The head of Campaigns in the CPS
Goodwill du-Pont
Cell; +27794724508
Email: goodwilldpnt@gmail.com
Friday, 26 April 2013
CPS Media Statement
CPS calls for release of activists and international action against Mswati
26 April 2013
In recent days the Swazi autocratic regime has clamped down on its pro-democracy opponents, especially those calling for a boycott of Mswati III’s rubber-stamp “elections”, due to be held later this year.
Those arrested include SWAYOCO Secretary General Maxwell Dlamini, and SWAYOCO International Affairs Secretary Sonkhe Dube; PUDEMO National Organiser and trade union leader Wonder Mkhonza, and members of Communist Party of Swaziland Central Committee Mfanawenkhosi Mtshali and Derrick Nkhambule.
The main charge against the activists is sedition, indicating that Mswati views opposition to his elections as treason.
Also, the editor of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment or R400 000 fine for criticizing chief justice in his publication.
The Nation is the only news publication in Swaziland that routinely dares to expose the corruption and venality of the feudal Tinkhundla government and royal mafia.
Responding to news of the arrests and the sentencing of Makhubu, CPS general secretary Kenneth Kunene said: “The regime is desperate to make its elections appear respectable, fair and free so as to appease the international community. But in reality they are the very opposite of freedom or fairness.”
Under the 2005 Constitution, hailed as the Commonwealth as progressive, no political parties are allowed to run for office or campaign on a political platform. The stipulations of the 1973 decree that instituted direct royal rule against the existence of political parties essentially remain in force.
“The Mswati dictatorship is also clamping down more widely on opposition at this time,” says Kunene. “Increasingly, we are seeing shows of force by the police and army, designed to intimidate anyone contemplating resisting the regime.”
The CPS has called for the immediate release of all political detainees and prisoners. The party’s Break the Chains campaign is joining this call with the demand for the safe return of exiles and the unbanning of political parties.
“We call on the international community, particularly SADC, the AU, EU and UN to take a resolute stand on the crimes of the Mswati regime and to demand an end to the dictatorship,” said Kunene.
CPS PRESS SERVICES
Contacts for details: +27 74 922 8277 or +277 25943971
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
COSATU Nkomazi local on the swazi arrests
COSATU
CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS
NKOMAZI LOCAL
NKOMAZI LOCAL
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
E-Mail: kabenzor.churky@gmail.com
Cell: 083 66 28 091
Fax: 0866981623
Tel: 013 780 3132
Nkomazi COSATU Local Statement on brutality meted against political activists in Swaziland
23 April 2013
The COSATU Local in Nkomazi is deeply disgusted and saddened by the manner in which the daily life of Swazis continues to be brutalised and bastardised by the intransigent Tinkundla regime. We have learned with shock how two and possibly several other activists were arrested at a SWAYOCO election Rally meant to oppose the sham August 2013 ‘elections’ in Swaziland. CdeMfanawnkosi ‘Boer’ Mntshaliand Cde Derrick Nkambule both from the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) were arrested on the 19 April 2013 in Msunduza, Mbabane in Swaziland. The comrades who are members of the Communist Party of Swaziland and hold responsibility there are being tortured in secrecy in Mbabane. We are making a clarion call that South Africa and Nkomazi cannot continue being a pseudo Ireland in the Sea of barbarism, hatred, greed, and brutality by the monarchy meted on the peoples the peoples of Swaziland. We have seen how despite this brutal instrument being used, apartheid regime was dislodged and this regime too shall be dislodged.
It is far disturbing to learn that special reserve stations had been erected to torture, maim, silence, and instil fear in the broader progressive movement and peace loving peoples of Swaziland. Indeed the regime is swallowing its own children with its zest for greed and hunger to cling to power in the sea of frustration by the majority.
Those arrested have not been given full rights as enshrined in universal laws of natural justice that of innocence until proven otherwise, right to have access to a legal representative and speedily appear before a court of law within 48 hours. We call for the immediate release of all arrested comrades at the Rally. The Swazi Royal police and other security forces elevate its barbarism over genuine calls by swazi people for boycotting sham elections, unbanning of political parties, unconditional release of all political prisoners, return of political exiles and call for interim government of the people.
COSATU in Nkomazi will continue to work internally for the total isolation of economic relations with the regime and fight side by side with progressive forces such as Communist Party of Swaziland, PUDEMO, SWAYOCO, and Trade union movement for the total liberation of the peoples of Swaziland. We call all forces within South Africa and at international level to unite in action denouncing this regime. The peoples of Swaziland shall have the last word, that of victory!
Victoria accerta…aluta continua! ‘Freedom is coming’!
Issued by:
CdeKabelo Ben Monepya
COSATU Local Secretary
0836628091""
UPDATES ON SWAZI ARRESTS
CPS CAMPAIGNS OFFICE
UPDATES ON THE ARBITRARY ARREST OF SWAZI LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS
Friends and comrades, the swazi regime has engaged itself on a serious campaign to arrest and torture leaders and activist inside the country.
The recent updates on these arrests are that
Yesterday the 22nd of April comrades Mfanawenkhosi Boer Mtshali and Derrick Nkambule were supposed to make their first court appearance in the Mbabane magistrate court , lawyers and comrades were waiting for them there until sunset , only to learn later that the two were secretly remanded back to custody until the 29th of April 2013,. They have been slapped with a Sedition charge , and they remain without bail pending an application at the High Court of Swaziland . The secrete appearance before the magistrate court, and the denial to see them at Sidvwashini prison would only mean one thing , and that , the comrades might have visible injuries after they were tortured over the weekend.
This morning again the Swazi police raided the residential places of two SWAYOCO leaders and arrested them , these are the SWAYOCO Secretary general comrade Maxwell Dlamini and the National Organizing Secretary. Currently they are in the hand s of police who are capable of anything with regards to their lives.
This week we also look forward to the bail application of the National Organizing Secretary and union leader Comrade Wonder Mkhonza who was charged with SEDITION by the Swazi regime .
There are many more comrades who have noticed strange surveillance cars around their homes. The uncertainty is growing each minute on every Swazi activist on these arrest attempt to silence the tinkhundla resistance .
We call upon all progressive forces across the globe to condemn this barbaric act of the unpopular regime , demand their governments to cut ties with the mswati regime, and demand that all political prisoners must be released unconditionallyand allow political formation to participate freely .
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
The head of Campaigns in the CPS
Goodwill du-Pont
Cell -+_27794724508
Email-goodwilldpnt@gmail.com