WeeklySA_AdminREPRESSION: International human rights group expresses alarm over reports that prison authorities are denying food to the kingdom’s former legislator, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, sentenced to a long prison term with co-parliamentarian Mthandeni Dube this week…
By WSAM Correspondent
Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over reports that Eswatini prison authorities have denied food rations to jailed former parliamentarian Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, who was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for “terrorism” and murder related to pro-democracy 2021 protests in the kingdom.
Mabuza and another MP, Mthandeni Dube, were handed long jail sentences by a judge at the High Court in the capital Mbabane on Monday – Mabuza to 25 years and Dube to 18 years in jail. The former members of parliament had pleaded innocent to all counts ahead of their conviction last year, almost two years after they were arrested on accusations of having incited unrest.
Police arrested Mabuza and Dube on July 25 2021 during a wave of pro-democracy demonstrations and charged with inciting unrest under Eswatini’s Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 and the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938. Both were convicted on June 1 2023.
Responding today to the news that authorities at Eswatini’s Matsapha Correctional Complex have denied food rations to Mabuza, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said: “Amnesty International is deeply concerned that prison authorities are jeopardizing the health and well-being of former Eswatini MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza.
“We have received troubling reports that authorities have denied Mabuza a proper meal for the last four days since his sentencing on July 15 2024. Guards refused him breakfast on July 17, and have banned him from receiving food from outside the prison. Mabuza has relied on outside food throughout his incarceration because of a medical condition that necessitates a specific diet, according to a doctor’s report provided to the relevant authorities”.
Chikwanda urged Eswatini Authorities to immediately provide Mabuza with proper sustenance, including by allowing external food deliveries per his medical requirements, and necessary medical attention. “Denial of food amounts to torture or ill-treatment that could have severe consequences on his health,” he warned.
“Eswatini authorities must immediately free Mabuza and fellow imprisoned MP Mthandeni Dube and drop all charges against them. Their baseless conviction and lengthy prison terms are an outrageous injustice.”
Amnesty International has noted reports that guards have repeatedly assaulted the two activists in prison. In September 2022, the organisation received reports that members of the prison unit responsible for transporting them to and from court allegedly attacked them, “while guards beat Mabuza after their 2023 conviction”. Authorities had not conducted investigations into either attack so far, according to watchdog group.
Mabuza and Dube have advocated for reforms to the Eswatini system of governance which affords King Mswati III, who has ruled the country since 1986, absolute power. The two were arrested during the pro-democracy protests that followed King Mswati issuing a decree in 2021 banning petitions to the government calling for democratic reforms.
Security forces violently put down these protests, including with the use of live ammunition. At least 46 people died during protests in June 2021, as reports of disproportionate and unnecessary use of force were condemned by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Human Rights Watch’s Amu Mnisi this week condemned the sentencing of Mabuza and Dube, saying the development “is a stark reminder of the lack of accountability and justice for the serious violations committed by law enforcement in and around the 2021 protests”.
The jailing of two politically dissenting voices in a country where the judiciary is neither impartial nor independent was another mark against Eswatini’s already deteriorating human rights record, she said.
“The government of Eswatini should stop weaponising the criminal justice system and quash the convictions and sentences of Mabuza and Dube and all those who have been imprisoned simply for exercising their rights to political expression or peaceful assembly,” Mnisi said.
Meanwhile the sentencing of two ex-legislators in Eswatini has triggered a diplomatic row between the United States and the Southern African country, reports CAJ News.
The US Embassy in Eswatini appeared to accuse the judiciary of partiality and lacking independence.
“It is critical Eswatini ensures respect for all fair trial rights, and that courts are not used to suppress freedom of expression. Misuse of courts will only erode trust and undermine the rule of law and human rights,” the US embassy responded, while also hinting at the use of courts to suppress dissenting views.
In response, Eswatini has denounced the response of the embassy. Alpheous Nxumalo, government spokesperson, described the sentiments as “unfortunate.” He told CAJ News the government had full confidence in the competence, independence and impartiality in the judiciary.
“To this end, we plead with the United States Embassy to respect the due process of the law and ultimately, the rule of law,” Nxumalo said.
“Casting aspersions on the independence of our judiciary after delivery of judgement by a court of competent jurisdiction is an affront to (the) rule of law,” Nxumalo said.
Mirror Briefs
GOVT OFFICIAL FOUND DEAD
The deputy director of the Department of Water and Sanitation, reported missing for more than a week, has been found dead, his family has confirmed. Sello Machitje was reported missing after a hijacking incident on July 8.
On the day of the incident, family spokesman Kgosi Makgorogo Sello reported that Machitje left his home about 5pm for the Eastern Cape. Normally, he would call to confirm his arrival, but on that day, he didn’t, which caused concern among his wife and sister.
He said that as the hours passed, the family became worried and called the tracker company to check on the vehicle. According to Kgosi, the car had been roaming between Alexandra and Marlboro, north of Joburg, and later confirmed to have been found in Alexandra without Sello.
Police, together with private security, later traced Machitje’s vehicle to Alexandra, where a 53-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. Gauteng police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza says the suspect is yet to be linked to Machitje’s murder. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
MEDIA24 SHUTS DOOR ON CAXTON
After confirming last month that it was closing the print editions of four of its publications, Media24 has rejected a written offer from Capital Newspapers/Caxton for the purchase of On the Dot and its portfolio of community newspapers.
Media24 chief executive Ishmet Davidson confirmed that, despite earlier claims, this week was the first time that Capital Newspapers/Caxton had put forward a written offer to purchase the four newspapers earmarked for closure.
However, Media24 is sticking to the offer it has already accepted from Novus Holdings to purchase its media logistics operation, On the Dot, the community newspapers and Soccer Laduma. It says there is no intention of reneging on this transaction (subject to regulatory approval).
“It is unlikely that we would sell the four newspaper brands; they are fundamental to our digital news strategy of serving our readers in the format that the vast majority prefers, “said Davidson.
Media24’s proposal will see Rapport’s news offering continue under its masthead on Netwerk24 and City Press on News24 — together forming the anchor of the media house’s Sunday news offering. Daily Sun will be relaunched as a standalone and free e-news site. – Neesa Moodley
TSHWANE MAYOR ON THE ROPES
The African National Congress announced today that it intends to submit a motion of no confidence against Democratic Alliance (DA) mayor Cilliers Brink.
The party claims this is because of “a deterioration of the state of governance”. The DA has claimed it is purely opportunistic. The ANC held a media briefing in Tshwane on Friday morning to communicate outcomes from its recently held regional executive committee meeting.
ANC regional chairperson Eugene Modise said, “The motion follows a deterioration of the state of governance, including financial management, and a litany of misrule and a staff component that is despondent. Since June 2023, we have witnessed the rapid deterioration of governance in political oversight, management, and the financial status of the city.”
“They have requested us to vote out the mayor a long time ago because of his arrogance and his treatment of black business people.”
Modise added, its decision to remove the DA-led coalition government in the capital city would not have any effect on the Government of National Unity (GNU).– Lehlohonolo Lehana
TOP COP DEFENDS KZN SHOOTOUTS
Thirty-nine suspects have been shot in shootouts with the police since April this year, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed during a media briefing on the state of policing in the province.
The dead 39 suspects were entangled in various shootout incidents across the province. These included nine suspects in Mariannhill, four in Harding, four in Camperdown, and four in Sydenham on Wednesday. He reported significant police efforts to maintain peace, noting that from April 1 to date, 35 145 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including 11 192 for contact crimes lincluding murder, rape, and assault. In addition, 953 firearms and large quantities of ammunition were recovered, along with 665 stolen vehicles and nearly two tonnes of drugs, including a dismantled drug lab and R8 million worth of cocaine.
Mkhwanazi reported 17 cash-in-transit robberies, with five foiled by the police, resulting in several arrests and shoot-outs. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
