Maxwell Dlamini is the Secretary General of SWAYOCO and the former President of the University of Swaziland Students Representative Council. During the so-called "April 12 Swazi Uprising" in April 2011, he and fellow activist Musa Ngubeni were arrested on charges of possession of explosives under Sections 8 and 9 of Swaziland’s Explosives Act 4 of 1961.[1][2][3][4][5] They were both allegedly tortured and were subsequently refused bail. They were imprisoned at the Manzini Remand Centre.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
An international campaign for their release was initiated by Danish NGO Africa Contact, British NGO ACTSA, and the British National Union of Students.[14][15][16][17]
Maxwell Dlamini was nominated for the 2013 Student Peace Prize in November 2011,[18][19][20][21][22] and the 2012 Frontline Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk in January 2012.[23][24] In 2013, he received the All-Africa Students' Union's 2013 Student Activist Award, for ”the role he has played in Swazi and African students' movements.”[25]
Maxwell Dlamini and Musa Ngubeni were granted bail on 20 December 2011. Bail was set at 50 000 Rand, by far the highest bail ever in the history of Swazi law.[26][27]
Maxwell Dlamini was released on bail on 3 February 2011. The bail money was collected by his father, Nimrod Dlamini, and local and international solidarity movements.[28][29][30]
Maxwell Dlamini was arrested on 23 April 2013 in connection with a SWAYOCO rally which was held on 19 April in Mbabane. Maxwell was charged with two counts of sedition.[31]
He was released on bail for a second time on 5 June 2013,[32] but re-arrested on 1 May 2014, allegedly for criticising Swaziland's government and king in a speech.[33]
Maxwell Dlamini was acquitted of the 2011 charges of contravening Swaziland’s Explosives Act on 4 September 2014, but is still remanded and has to face charges for the two other charges of sedition (for allegedly arranging a boycott campaign during the 2013 Swazi elections) and terrorism (for allegedly criticising the Swazi government and king).[34]
References
edit- ^ "Swaziland: uprising in the slip-stream of North Africa | Pambazuka News". www.pambazuka.org. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ The Swazi Observer
- ^ "Students Union President, USDF member arrested for explosives". Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Arrests and heavy security prevent new Swazi protests". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Cribsheet 26.05.11". the Guardian. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "The Herald | Zimbabwe's largest daily newspaper". www.herald.co.zw. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Studenterledere tortureret i Swaziland Archived 2 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Swaziland torturerer 21-ĂĽrig studenterleder Archived 2 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Swazi student leader tortured, framed « National « ZimEye". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ Rooney, Publisher: Richard (3 October 2011). "Swazi Media Commentary: SSN CONDEMNS STUDENTS' TORTURE". Swazi Media Commentary. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Welcome to the Congress of South African Trade Unions website
- ^ http://www.times.co.sz/News/28306.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ Swazi activists denied bail | The New Age Online Archived 12 September 2012 at archive.today
- ^ "Maxwell Dlamini supporters launch campaign to free him". the Guardian. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "freemaxwelldlamini". freemaxwelldlamini. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Free Maxwell Dlamini - President of Swaziland NUS
- ^ Swaziland
- ^ "The Student Peace Prize". Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ http://www.times.co.sz/News/34695.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Cribsheet 17.11.11". the Guardian. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Fængslet student i Swaziland nomineret til fredspris". archive.ph. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Swazi student leader nominated for student peace prize | Pambazuka News". www.pambazuka.org. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Swaziland: Dlamini nominated for Irish human rights award | Pambazuka News". 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Swazi political prisoner nominated for Irish human rights award | Newstime Africa". Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
- ^ "Maxwell gets student activist award | AFRIKA KONTAKT". Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ^ http://www.times.co.sz/News/35907.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ says, Kopane Belgium Mabasa (20 December 2011). "Maxwell Dlamini granted bail – at a massive 50 000 Rand". Kenworthy News Media. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Student leader Maxwell Dlamini out on bail | Newstime Africa". Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
- ^ "Noticias Univision". wires.univision.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
- ^ http://www.africandictator.org/?p=7104[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Maxwell arrested again | AFRIKA KONTAKT". Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ^ "Maxwell out on bail … again | AFRIKA KONTAKT". Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Afrika Kontakt". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Forside".