Friday, 06 January 2006
The SACP has received with shock the news of the arrest of the Secretary General of PUDEMO, Comrade Ignatius Bonginkosi Dlamini yesterday and other thirteen activist of PUDEMO who have been in torturing camps since December 30th 2005. These are deliberate actions of a desperate autocratic regime to instill fear amongst the people of Swaziland and to subject them to its perpetual undemocratic rule.
We call on the people of Swaziland to unite behind the leadership of PUDEMO and take a giant step towards their liberation and confront the undemocratic rule of King Mswati III and his autocratic royal regime. Africa and the world shall know no peace until the people of Swaziland are set free from royal bondage and slavery.
We are further dismayed by reports that one of the associates of the 13 comrades who have been unlawfully arrested and tortured has passed on as a result of police action. We owe it to her and many of those who gave their lives for the freedom of Swaziland to isolate King Mswati III and liberate the people of Swaziland from his oppressive antics of intensified violence and harassment against political activits.
These acts are a direct challenge to the international community to stand with the oppressed people of Swaziland and cut the lifeline they have continuously provided to King Mswati III.
We call on the South African government to act decisively and severe all ties with this undemocratic regime. We further call on SADC and the AU to instantaneously take drastic steps against autocratic Swaziland. These calls are extend to the Commonwealth and the United Nations equally.
We also call upon King Mswati III to enter into genuine negotiations for a democratic dispensation acceptable to all the people of Swaziland.
We will continue to interact positively with PUDEMO and the people of Swaziland to hasten the liberation of the Swazi people and extend the call to all progressive structures to work with the people of Swaziland in the noble struggle for liberation.
We further call for an immediate end to the torture and un-conditional release of all the arrested comrades who stood up for the liberation of their own country.
Issued by the SACP
For Further Comments Contact
Solly Mapaila - SACP National Organiser
Telephone: 011 339 ?3621/2
Mobile number 082 886 3526
E- mail address: solly@sacp.org.za