PM orders return of non-bailable law
Press Release 10 June 2010

The Swaziland Chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) notes with shock the Prime Minister’s latest call to parliament to consider bringing back the non-bailable law as a matter of urgency in response to a spate of highly suspicious recent bombings of state buildings and individuals’ houses. The SDC is of the strong view that the PM’s call is itself suspicious in that it actually coincides with an unrelenting state crackdown on political activists. The nature of some of the bombing incidents suggest police involvement and we strongly believe that the state is perpetrating these incidents and are now using them as an excuse to harass and silence all dissenting voices. The following incidents are the basis of our suspicions:

1. SUDF Secretary General, Vincent Ncongwane’s house was broken into and a laptop was stolen on the 30th May, the night he was supposed to have left for the ongoing Geneva Conference. No arrests have been made.
2. Bheki Dlamini, a Trade Unionist and former SWAYOCO leader’s house was raided by the police on the 2nd June.
3. Themba Shiba, a SWAYOCO member and activist’s house was also raided by the police on the 2nd June.
4. Ndlavela Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland Ex-Mineworkers Association’s house was raided by the police on the 4th June.
5. Sydney Nyembe, the coordinator of the Swaziland Economic Justice Network’s house was raided on the 4th June.
6. George Hleta, a SWAYOCO member’s house was raided by the police also on the 4th June.
7. Alex Langwenya, the National Organising Secretary of the SUDF’s house was bombed on the night of the 8th June. The bomb used was a commercial one and of the capacity that could only be in the possession of the police or army and not a mere citizen. Of note is that Langwenya, his wife, and brother were arrested and not permitted legal representation. The question that arises is why they were arrested? Other victims of the recent spate of bombings, which include the police themselves and MPs, have not been arrested. Langwenya has subsequently been charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act for materials found in his possession as immediately the police arrived at his home they proceeded to raid it.
8. Bheki Dlamini, a volunteer with the Foundation for Socio-Economic Justice’s house was raided by the police on the 8th June.
9. Mphandlana Shongwe, a member of the SDC Swaziland Chapter’s house was raided by the police in the morning of the 11th June.
10. Mary Pais Da Silva, the SDC Swaziland Chapter’s Convener’s mother received members of the police force at her home in the morning of the 11th June. Mary was not home and the police did not proceed to raid the place whose intention it had been to do so.
11. Also in the morning of the 11th June, a contingent of police officers was spotted proceeding to the home of Dr. Sikelela Dlamini, the SDC Swaziland Chapter’s Secretary. They probably got lost on the way and were unable to carry out their mission.
12. In morning of the 11th June, the following were taken into custody and have not been released as yet:
    1. Thabile Zwane, Secretary General of SWAYOCO.
    2. Zonke Dlamini and another unidentified male, both members of SWAYOCO.
    3. Thabani Mdluli, a SWAYOCO member.
    4. Machawe, a vibrant SNUS member.
13. The following are being kept under close surveillance by the police:
    1. Sicelo Mkhonta, a SWAYOCO member.
    2. Sicelo Vilane, a SWAYOCO member.
    3. Thantaza Silolo, a SWAYOCO member.
    4. Themba Shiba, a SWAYOCO member.

It is worthy of note that these raids are carried out without any search warrants nor are the detainments of comrades on the strength of any warrants of arrests. This is arbitrary abuse of power, lack of respect for the rule of law as well as untold human rights violation. The SDC condemns this in the utmost and calls on the international world to step p their efforts in the struggle for democracy and freedom in Swaziland.

The SDC notes that Swaziland has descended into a state of emergency yet, as we speak, King Mswati 111 is dining and wining with leaders of the democratic world at the official opening of the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in South Africa this afternoon.

For more information contact:
Ms. Mary Pais Da Silva (Convener)
(+268) 7603 0076
mpsdasilva@gmail.com
Dr. Sikelela Dlamini (Secretary)
(+268) 7617 1151
sikamd@gmail.com