28 March, 2024
As Lawyers for Democratic Reform in Swaziland (LAW-DERSWA), we vehemently denounce the detention of Human Rights activist, Tanele Maseko, wife of the late Human Rights Lawyer, Thulani Maseko.
Tanele Maseko, accompanied by her children and an aide, was enroute to Eswatini when authorities flagged her passport, alleging her involvement in her husband’s murder. Tanele Maseko has been tirelessly advocating for justice for her late husband, tirelessly preserving his legacy and demanding accountability from the state for his untimely demise.
The actions of the state in subjecting Tanele and her sons to detention, harassment, and intimidation, including summoning them to the Manzini Police Headquarters for interrogation, are utterly reprehensible. Such flagrant violations of their rights perpetuate a distressing pattern of harassment against defenders of human rights in Eswatini, instilling a climate of fear and uncertainty among those who bravely champion justice and human rights causes.
We are profoundly dismayed by the conduct of the Eswatini state security forces, allegedly implicated in the heinous murder of her husband and for over a year, failing to bring the perpetrators to justice or provide any substantive updates on the investigation into Thulani Maseko’s killing. We urgently call for the immediate release of Tanele Maseko and her sons and demand an end to the persecution and intimidation they endure.
Furthermore, we reiterate our call for an impartial and independent investigation into Thulani Maseko’s murder, under the supervision and leadership of the international community. Only through such measures can justice be served for Tanele Maseko and her family and accountability be upheld for the heinous crime committed against Thulani Maseko.
Issued By,
Philile Khumalo
LAW-DERSWA
Programme Manager