PUDEMO’s Mario says no to bail

MBABANE Times of Swaziland, 198.02.09 
Leader of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Mario Masuku has instructed his family and comrades not to waste money paying for his bail.

He has told close relatives that he was sick and tired of giving government money because charges never saw the light of day, while government enjoys the money.

Masuku appeared at the High Court for a remand hearing on Monday before Chief Justice Richard Banda.

He was represented by human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.
Masuku is charged with contravening section 11(1) (b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, in that he is alleged to have solicited and given support to the commission of terrorism.

He is alleged to have made comments that support terrorism in the country during the funeral of dead lawyer Musa ‘MJ’ Dlamini.
He was remanded to custody until November 24, 2008.

Conditions
Maseko did not seek bail for his client on Monday but merely applied that Masuku be transferred to the Matsapha Maximum prison due to the hot weather conditions in Siteki.

Appearing for the crown was the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mumcy Dlamini, assisted by Nkosinathi Maseko.
Masuku is said to have told his comrades, family and friends that a lot of their members were out on bail on charges that were still hanging over their heads without any trial commencing.

PUDEMO Secretary General Siphasha Dlamini confirmed that their president had told them he wanted no bail.
He said they were right behind Masuku and had instructed their lawyers to be in constant contact with Masuku, while still behind bars.
When contacted for comment, Thulani said he has had no time to meet his clients and discuss such things as bail. His son, Mzwandile Masuku, who is a practicing lawyer with T.R Maseko law firm, said whatever his father had decided they were right behind him.

This is not the first time that Masuku has been arrested for his political beliefs.

He has in the past been charged with sedition, high treason and now terrorism.