Mario Masuku Explained

Mario Thembeka Masuku (October 1951^[1] – 11 January 2021) was a Swazi politician who was the leader of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Eswatini's banned opposition party.^[2]

Early life and education

He was born in the village of Makhosini located in Nhlangano Eswatini and attended Evelyn Baring High School.^[3]

Imprisonment for political activity

The Royal Swazi Police arrested and imprisoned Masuku at Matsapha maximum security prison on charges of sedition in 2001.^[3]

He was arrested again on November 15, 2008, under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. At the funeral of Musa Dlamini, who died while supposedly trying to bomb the Lozitha bridge, Masuku is alleged to have verbally supported recent bombings of government institutions. He was acquitted and discharged at the High Court on September 21, 2009 after spending 340 days in prison.^{[4] [5] [6]}

On 1 May 2014, Masuku, after a making a speech at a May day rally in Manzini, was arrested together with student activist Maxwell Dlamini.^[7] They were charged with terrorism and sedition. A widely supported^{[8] [9] [10] [11]} international campaign for their release was started shortly thereafter.^[12]

He died on 11 January 2021, from COVID-19.^{[13] [14]}

External links

• Mario Masuku: 'A brief autobiography'
• Mario Masuku meets with senior Danish politician Mogens Lykketoft
• International campaign for the release of Mario Masuku

He stepped down as president of PUDEMO, and handed over the role to a young leader, Mlungisi Makhanya.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Highlanders shattered by Mario's demise. 13 January 2021.
2. Web site: Caesar Zvayi. 2007. Zimbabwe: Welcome Home Son of McGee. The Herald via allAfrica. 2007-11-28.
3. News: Standing up to Swaziland's king. BBC News. 2007-11-28 . 2002-02-04.
4. News: Mario Masuku Acquitted in Swaziland. Hager. Sarah . September 23, 2009. Amnesty International USA. 2009-10-15.
5. News: Mario Masuku a free man. Nxumalo. Manqoba. September 22, 2009. Times of Swaziland. 2009-10-15.
6. News: Swaziland's Opposition Leader Expected in Court Over Terrorism Charges. Clottey. Peter. 24 November 2008. VOAnews.com. Voice of America. 2009-10-15.
7. Web site: Petition To Free PUDEMO Leader. en.africatime.com. 10 March 2018.
8. Web site: Swaziland: President of Danish Parliament Support Jailed PUDEMO President Mario Masuku's release. www.cosatu.org.za. 10 March 2018.
9. https://www.latestnewssouthafrica.com/2021/01/12/swaziland-long-serving-president-comrade-mario-bhambatha-masuku-has-died/ Swaziland long-serving President of PUDEMO party, Comrade Mario "Bhambatha" Masuku has died
10. Web site: Danish political support for Mario Masuku. 22 January 2015. 10 March 2018.
11. Web site: Danish party supports Mario and Maxwell. 17 June 2014. 10 March 2018.
12. Web site: Free Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini - Afrika Kontakt. afrika.dk. 10 March 2018.
13. http://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=841 COSATU mourns PUDEMO founding President Mario Masuku's death.
14. Web site: Pudemo, ANC, EFF pay tribute to Mario Masuku . 14 January 2021 .