Swaziland’s banned political opposition will urge its neighbours to apply pressure on King Mswati III to avoid an insurrection in the country.
“South Africa and Mozambique have a duty to do this as partners in the Southern African Development Community,” said Kislon Shongwe, spokesperson for the People’s Union for Democracy (Pudemo). “It will not be interference. It will be necessary intervention. It was done in Lesotho, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Ivory Coast. Why should it not also be done in Swaziland?”
Sixteen Pudemo members will appear in court in Mbabane on January 20 on charges of treason, sedition, arson and attempted murder stemming from 14 firebomb attacks on government buildings in the kingdom between August and December last year.
On Tuesday, acting chief justice Jacobus Annandale refused to hear bail applications until the men were present in court.
Shongwe said Pudemo is getting support from trade unions operating legally inside Swaziland. “The Swaziland Nation Teachers’ Association and the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions have withdrawn their participation from constitutional negotiations and said they will be taking to the streets.
“The Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Parties has expressed its alarm at the death [of] Fakudze Mamba, wife of one of the suspects, shortly after she was interrogated by police. Amnesty International will assist us in getting her body exhumed for a proper examination.
“All these activities fit into the strategy Pudemo has embarked upon. Since we cannot operate legally, we will join forces with those who can,” said Shongwe.