SA minister refuses to comment on Swazi Human Rights abuse

International Relations and Cooperation minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has refused to be drawn on the human rights abuses in Swaziland.

Nkoana-Mashabane told a press conference in Pretoria that SA enjoyed good bilateral relations with Swaziland and wouldn’t be drawn on any public comment on the issue of abuses committed in Swaziland.

"If there are any issues that we want to address with Swaziland, we will use the right channels", she said.

Last month a pro-democracy march was suppressed by the Swazi police with the detention of about 60 people, Zakhele Mabuza, an organiser of the march told Business Day.

The detention included the arrest of Mario Masuku, president of Swaziland's banned People's United Democratic Movement.

In reaction to the minister's statement, Mr Masuku it was "unfortunate" that the minister did not condemn human right abuses and the persecution of political opponents in Swaziland.

Mr Masuku said that he was satisfied with the decision of the African National Congress to discuss Swaziland's political situation during the party's recent national general council last month in Durban.

He also said that he feared for his life in Swaziland.

"The reality is that you can never be free in a dictatorship in particular when you are regarded as a threat", Mr Masuku said.

Mr Masuku is in SA to galvanise support among civil society movements to put pressure on the Southern African Development Community to convince Swaziland's monarchy to institute political reforms.

Swaziland is an absolute monrachy with no other political parties allowed.


(2010-10-08/businessday.co.za)