The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, learnt with great disappointment that Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu have been sentenced to terms of two years’ imprisonment each, without the option of a fine. The magazine and published were fined E100 000 (USD10 000). These sentences confirmed our worst fears. We therefore reiterate our call to the South African government to take diplomatic and other steps to exert pressure on the government of Swaziland to release Thulani and Bheki. We further urge the government to engage with the Swaziland government about its encroachment of free expression.
The crime these two men committed was to criticize the arbitrary conduct by a Judge – who happens to be the Chief Justice of the country. Using the offence of contempt of court to stifle and punish free expression is the hallmark of an undemocratic and closed state, which Swaziland undeniably is. The conviction and harsh sentence should be understood within the broader political context, in which the rule of law has largely been replaced by royal rule, and in which the independence of the judiciary has been compromised.
In his statement from the dock, during the trial, Maseko also placed the matter in this broader political context, calling for a constitutional monarchy: “We deny that the call for a constitutional monarchy is a call to overthrow the monarch in Swaziland. We are calling for a system of government where democratic governance can and will co-exist with a monarchy whose powers are properly limited by law … so that nobody is above the law, but the law, is the ruler …”.
The sentence imposed is gravely disproportionate. It must be one of the longest imprisonment terms ever imposed for contempt of court under a common law jurisdiction. It should also be taken into account that the two men had already been detained for some four months while awaiting trial.
Further recourse now lies in the Court of Appeal. Let us hope that moderation and reason will prevail. We urge that the two men be released pending the finalization of their appeal.
Prominent Swazi human rights lawyer and graduate Thulani Maseko is a University of Pretoria graduate, having completed the Centre’s Master’s programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa. Bheki Makhubu is editor of the The Swazi Nation magazine.
We call on the South African Government to engage with the Swaziland Government in a sustained dialogue on the release of the two men, nature of political repression, and the need for meaningful reform in that country.
SABC Newsroom Interview (28 July 2014)
Prof Frans Viljoen, Director of the Centre for Human Rights discussed the arrest and conviction of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu on SABC Newsroom on 28 July 2014.
(Start watching at 33 minutes 49 seconds)
SABC Newsroom Interview (25 July 2014)
Adebayo Okeowo, an LLM (HRDA) candidate at the CHR, discussed the arrest and conviction of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu on SABC Newsroom on 25 July 2014.
(Start watching at 3 minutes 3 seconds)
Video produced by students at the Centre for Human Rights
Related links
- Letter to Barack Obama from a Swaziland jail cell
3 August 2014 - Thulani Maseko’s Obama letter: Mzuthini disassociates himself
2 August 2014 - South Africa: Media groups slam jailing of journo, lawyer in Swaziland
28 July 2014 - Centre for Human Rights Calls On South African Government to engage Swaziland government on encroachment of free expression
25 July 2014 - #FreeTuksActivist Thulani Maseko - Video campaign by current human rights students at the Centre for Human Rights
24 July 2014 - SA university calls for release of detained Swaziland lawyer
24 July 2014 - Obama’s govt concerned with Makhubu, Maseko convictions
24 July 2014 - Centre for Human Rights calls on South Africa government to ensure University of Pretoria graduate is released
22 July 2014 - Swaziland editor Bheki Makhubu and lawyer convicted
11 July 2014 - Swaziland: UN experts condemn continued detention and trial of human rights defenders
12 June 2014 - Petition: King Mswati III of Swazilandmust take action to immediately release Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu and acquit them of all charges
11 June 2014 - American University Washington College of Law Resource Page
10 June 2014 - Swazi political prisoner puts the king in dock at show trial
8 June 2014, Sunday Weekend Argus - Centre for Human Rights calls for the acquittal and immediate release of Thulani Rudolf Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
6 June 2014 - Letter to King Mswati III Regarding Swaziland’s Worsening Human Rights Crisis
5 June 2104 - The jeopardy of rule of law; democracy; separation of power and fundamental human rights in Swaziland
14 May 2014 - Centre calls on Swaziland to observe fair trail rights of prominent Swazi Human Rights Lawyer - Mr Thulani Rudolf Maseko
21 March 2014
Broadcast coverage
- SABC Newsroom: Interview with Prof Frans Viljoen
28 July 2014 - SABC Newsroom: Interview with Adebayo Okeowo
25 July 2014 - SABC CHANNEL AFRICA: University of Pretoria has called on the South African government
(The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, calls on the Government of South Africa to take suitable measures to exert pressure on the government of Swaziland to ensure that Thulani Maseko to be released from prison and not be sentenced to imprisonment).
24 July 2014 - SABC CHANNEL AFRICA: Swaziland magazine editor convicted
(Human rights organisations continue to voice their concern over the conviction of a Swaziland magazine editor, Bheki Makhubu and a human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko. The duo was charged for contempt of court for articles critical of the government and judiciary. An interview was done with Prof Frans Viljoen - Director Centre for Human Rights, UP).
24 July 2014 - SABC CHANNEL AFRICA: Full interview with Prof Frans Viljoen
24 July 2014
For more information, please contact:
Prof Frans Viljoen
Director: Centre for Human Rights
University of Pretoria
Tel: (012) 420 3228
Email: frans.viljoen@up.ac.za
www.chr.up.ac.za
