Johannesburg – Swaziland’s long-running judicial crisis has taken a serious turn for the worse in the past few weeks with the baseless arrest and detention – and now re-arrest – of human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko, and editor of the Nation, Bheki Makhubu. The case was back in the Swazi High Court today when the two men were remanded in custody until April 14th.
The spurious charges and abuse of judicial powers, particularly by Chief Justice Ramodibedi (who is simultaneously facing impeachment proceedings in his native Lesotho), have underlined the complete loss of respect for the rule of law in Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
With local and international outrage growing, Swazi civil society groups have come together to denounce the campaign of judicial intimidation against Maseko and Makhubu – and demand their immediate release and the dropping of all charges. They are also calling for judicial reforms to restore respect for the rule of law in Swaziland.
What: NEWS CONFERENCE by Swaziland Civil Society on current judicial crisis
Who: Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) – Deputy Secretary-General, Mduduzi Gina;
Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civil Society (SCCCO) – Lomcebo Dlamini
Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) – Wandile Dludlu
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) – Mary Dasilva
Concerned Church Leaders (CCL)
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cnr Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Avenues, Rosebank
When: 12:30, Friday 11th April
RSVP: BukekaM@osisa.org
