Swazi lawyer challenges Act
2009-06-30 08:29
Mbabane - A leading Swaziland lawyer launched a court bid on Monday to have charges of sedition and subversive activities against him declared unlawful, saying they are inconsistent with the constitution.
The lawyer, Thulani Maseko, was arrested earlier this month for sedition and faces up to 20 years in jail after he made comments praising two men implicated in the botched bombing of a bridge last September.
"In a democracy the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act has no place, for it violates the guaranteed freedom of speech as stated in the country's constitution," said Maseko in court papers.
"In terms of section two of the constitution, any law that is inconsistent with the constitution is null and void and of no force and effect and must be struck down," he said.
Maseko is out on bail of 15 000 lilangeni ($1 865).
He also represents Mario Masuku, the jailed head of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo).
Swaziland is Africa's last absolute monarchy and political organisations here have been banned since 1973.
King Mswati III, who ascended the throne at age 18, has the power to appoint the prime minister, the legislature and the judiciary.
- SAPA