The trial of Swaziland opposition leader Mario Masuku, charged with demanding the overthrow of Africa’s last absolute monarch, was adjourned on Tuesday after police threw his supporters from the courtroom.
Four policemen armed with batons entered a public gallery in the Mbabane High Court during a morning teabreak and removed supporters wearing “Free Mario Masuku” T-shirts, an AFP correspondent said.
At least one supporter was hit with a baton.
Masuku (51) the president of the banned Peoples United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), faces charges of calling for an end to Mswati’s rule in the southern African kingdom, and of incitement to rebellion in homes, churches, schools and universities.
The judge ajourned the trial, saying he would not allow policemen to manhandle Masuku supporters for whatever reason, and because it might give the impression that the country “was a police state”.
Earlier on Tuesday, a policeman told the court he believed Masuku had incited his supporters to overthrow the monarchy of King Mswati III during a pro-democracy demonstration at the offices of Swazi Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini in November 2000.
Inspector Solomon Maphosa said he typed a report in which Masuku allegedly told supporters: “Down with King Mswati’s reign.”
“To me that meant that he was calling for an of end the king’s reign,” he told the court.
But under cross examination, Maphosa admitted that his typed version differs from that of his written statement, in which he quoted Masuku as saying: “Down with the king.” – AFP