SWAZILAND NEWSLETTER - NEWS FLASH
PUBLISHED BY SOUTHERN AFRICA CONTACT (DENMARK)

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Swaziland activists charged with petrol bombings

Thulani Mthetwa | Mbabane, Swaziland
20 December 2005 12:45

Nine democracy activists were remanded in custody on Tuesday after brief
court appearances in connection with a spate of petrol bombings in
Africa's last absolute monarchy.

Police spokesperson Vusie Masuku said the nine -- all members of the
banned People's United Democratic Movement, or Pudemo -- were rounded up
over the weekend.

They are accused of bombing two court houses and the homes of three police
officers, a lawmaker and government spokesperson since September.

They appeared at two magistrate's courts in the capital, Mbabane, and
Siteki, in eastern Swaziland, on charges including attempted murder,
malicious damage to property and possession of substances used in making
pertrol bombs.

The attacks, which have occurred sporadically since 1998, come at a time
of mounting frustration in the impoverished, HIV/Aids-ridden kingdom of
one million surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique.

Swaziland has been ruled by royal decree since 1973, when King Sobhuza II
banned political parties. A new Constitution that comes into effect in
January strengthens human rights protections but entrenches the power of
Sobhuza's son, King Mswati III.

Pudemo denies any involvement in the recent attacks, but says they are a
sign of frustration over the government's refusal to hold a referendum on
the new Constitution.

Pudemo Secretary General Bongikosi Dlamini said the arrests would not
deter activists from struggling for multiparty democracy in Swaziland and
warned there would be more explosions in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, police claimed to have discovered a petrol bomb making
factory at a homestead belonging to a Pudemo member in Nkwalini, outside
Mbabane. Their evidence was a plastic bottle containing sand and water
found on top of a pile of sand. - Sapa-AP

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