Swazi groups to protest
2009-06-05 08:35
Johannesburg - Pro-democracy groups will stage a picket outside the Swaziland Consulate in Johannesburg on Friday to protest against the arrest of a human rights lawyer.
"Advocate Maseko has represented many comrades in their legal battles against the regime including the successful case by the ex-miners in which the court ruled in favour of the people for free education," the SA Liaison Office (Salo) said in a statement.
"A picket will be held outside the Swaziland Consulate in central Johannesburg on Friday 5 June to demand the release of Advocate Thulani Maseko."
Maseko was arrested on charges of sedition and subversive activities, the international news agency, Agence France Presse (AFP), reported on Thursday.
The picket has been organised by Salo, the Open Society Institute for Southern Africa, Swaziland Solidarity Network and the South African Communist Party.
Maseko represents Swazi opposition leader Mario Masuku, of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), who was jailed last year.
Political parties are banned in Africa's last absolute monarchy and King Mswati III has the power to appoint the prime minister, the legislature and the judiciary.
- SAPA