SSN+on+withdrawal+of+SA+advocates+from+High+Treason+case


 * March 7, 2006**

=SSN statement on the withrawal of South African advocates from the high treason case=

The Swaziland Solidarity Network welcomes the withdrawal of the two South African advocates Dr. Len Els and Anthony Viviers. The two were booked to assist the prosecution of our PUDEMO comrades. The case involves PUDEMO's Secretary General, I. B. Dlamini and 16 other members of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).

We welcome in particular the fact that these lawyers have followed their conscience. They have correctly refused to be used by the evil Swazi regime against the people of Swaziland.

In this regard, he Swaziland Solidarity Network issued a statement on February 24, 2006. We said:

//"In South Africa's case provocateurs and false-flag operatives working covertly for the state posed as a "third force" and conducted indiscriminate terrorism for years within the country, in the 1980s and 1990s, seeking to blame their atrocities upon the liberation movement."//

And we continued:

//"It appears that the Swazi regime is now using the same tactics and even possibly some of the same South African individuals to assist them. We note the employment of white South African lawyers in the prosecution of the PUDEMO comrades."//

We are happy to note that these honourable lawyers have done the right thing in the circumstances by refusing to give any aid or comfort to the discredited royal dictator.

We say to Mswati and his Tinkhundla system: Time is up! The people of Swaziland are giving you a red card. We further demand the release of our comrades. It is now clear to everyone that the King and his government have no case.

Tell: 011 339 3621 Fax: 011 339 4244 Cell: 072 502 4141 Email: ssnnetwork@gmail.com**
 * Issued by Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN)**
 * For more information please contact**
 * Lucky Lukhele



=COSATU welcomes withdrawal of South African advocates from Swaziland high treason case= The Congress of South African Trade Unions hails the decision of the two South African advocates, Dr. Len Els and Anthony Viviers, not to represent the Swaziland state in the prosecution of leaders of the opposition People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), and others, for high treason and attempted murder. We endorse the statement by the Swaziland Solidarity Network that “these lawyers have followed their conscience and have correctly refused to be used by the evil Swazi regime against the people of Swaziland”. COSATU once more demands that the Swazi dictatorship drop all these trumped-up, politically motivated charges against pro-democracy activists, release all political prisoners and allow political opposition parties and trade unions to operate freely, in accordance with international conventions. COSATU congratulates and thanks all its members who gave up their time today to attend the successful protest demonstrations at all four border crossings between South Africa and Swaziland, and promises that more such action will follow if the regime does not listen to the legitimate demands of the people for democracy to be introduced and human rights respected. Congress of South African Trade Unions 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets Braamfontein, 2017 P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24 Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940 E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za**
 * Patrick Craven (Editor, Shopsteward Journal)