Further information on UA 468/90 (AFR 55/05/90, 16 November and follow-up AFR 55/06/90, 23 November) - Swaziland: Sabelo Dlamini, Boy Magagulu, Dominic Mngomezulu, Ray Russon, Mphandlana Shongwe
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 55/07/90
Distr: UA/SC
11 December 1990
Further information on UA 468/90 (AFR 55/05/90, 16 November, and follow-up
AFR 55/06/90, 23 November) - Legal Concern
SWAZILAND : Sabelo DLAMINI
Boy MAGAGULU
Dominic MNGOMEZULU
Ray RUSSON
Mphandlana SHONGWE
Ray Russon and Sabelo Dlamini are currently in hospital in a weak state of
health after spending over two weeks on hunger-strike in protest against their
redetention without charge under renewable 60-day detention orders. On 9
December 1990 they learned that the Swaziland authorities were considering
withdrawing the detention orders imposed on them. Apparently as a result,
they agreed to suspend their hunger-strike, but it is expected that they may
resume it if the issue is not dealt with promptly. Their 60-day administrative
detention orders, which can be renewed on the authorization of the Prime
Minister, are due to expire on 14 January 1991.
Ray Russon and Sabelo Dlamini went on hunger-strike on 23 November 1990
after being handed over to Swaziland police by the South African police at
the Oshoek border post. According to press reports, the South African Police
at Oshoek border post questioned them about the activities of the African
National Congress in Swaziland and returned them to Swaziland because they
refused to answer questions. They were transferred to hospital on the eighth
day of their hunger-strike, reportedly because Sabelo Dlamini collapsed.
Sabelo Dlamini was assaulted by the police during a raid on the university
campus on 14 November, and was still suffering from his injuries at the time
of his redetention. Amnesty International regards the two men as prisoners
of conscience and has expressed to the Swaziland authorities its grave concern
for their health.
Boy Magagulu, Dominic Mngomezulu and Mphandlana Shongwe are also still
being held under renewable 60-day detention orders. Amnesty International
also considers them to be prisoners of conscience and is urging the Swaziland
government to release all five detainees immediately.
Amnesty International also remains concerned by reports that more than
80 students received hospital treatment after they were severely beaten by
police who entered the University of Swaziland campus on 14 November 1990,
apparently to suppress a peaceful student boycott of classes which had been
called to protest against the expulsion of Sabelo Dlamini from the university.
Reports indicate that in addition to the 80, many other students received
treatment at other clinics and that yet more who required treatment did not
go to hospital out of fear of arrest. There is evidence to suggest that at
least three students died as a result of the beatings inflicted on them by
the police, and were thus victims of what appear to have been extrajudicial
executions. In view of the gravity of these allegations, Amnesty International
is urging the Swaziland authorities to institute a full, open, impartial and
independent inquiry into the actions of the police on 14 November, the findings
of which should be made public, and to bring to justice any members of the
police or security forces found to be responsible for human rights violations.
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FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters:
- welcoming reports that the Swaziland authorities have indicated their
willingness to consider the lifting of the 60-day detention orders currently
in force on Ray Russon and Sabelo Dlamini;
- urging them to give the same consideration to the cases of Boy Magagulu,
Dominic Mngomezulu and Mphandlana Shongwe;
- stating that Amnesty International considers all five men to be prisoners
of conscience, detained on account of peaceful political activities, and calling
for their immediate release.
IN SOME APPEALS: expressing concern at reports that police inflicted severe
beatings on students at the University of Swaziland campus on 14 November 1990,
as a result of which at least three students are said to have died, and urging
the authorities to institute a full, open, impartial and independent inquiry
into the actions of the police on 14 November, the findings of which should
be made public, and to bring to justice any members of the police or security
forces found to be responsible for human rights violations.
APPEALS TO:
His Majesty King Mswati III
PO Box 1
Lobamba, Swaziland
Telegrams: HM King Mswati, Swaziland
The Right Hon. Obed Dlamini
Acting Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 395
Mbabane, Swaziland
Telegrams: Acting Prime Minister, Mbabane, Swaziland
Faxes: + 268 43943
Mr Zonke Khumalo
Minister of Justice
PO Box 924
Mbabane, Swaziland
Telegrams: Justice Minister, Mbabane, Swaziland
Telexes: 2017 COMPOL WD
Faxes: + 268 42092
Mr Sandile Mdziniso
Commissioner of Police
c/o Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 395
Mbabane, Swaziland
Telegrams: Police Commissioner, Mbabane, Swaziland
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Faxes: + 268 44545
COPIES TO:
- Attorney General, Attorney General's Chambers, PO Box 578, Mbabane, Swaziland
- The President, The Swaziland Law Society, Box No. 24, Mbabane, Swaziland
- The Times of Swaziland, PO Box 156, Lansdown House, Post Street, Mbabane,
Swaziland
and to diplomatic representatives of Swaziland in your country.
Please organize some appeals from lawyers, academics or students.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 January 1991.