Wednesday, September 23, 2009

SWAZILAND, WORLD LAUGHING STOCK

The attempt to prosecute Mario Masuku, the president of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), on a charge of terrorism has been branded ‘shameful’ by the Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper.

It has made Swaziland ‘the laughing stock of the world,’ the newspaper says.

In an editorial today (23 September 2009) the newspaper attacks Swaziland’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mumcy Dlamini for bringing a case against Masuku that had no merit. The case was thrown out by a High Court judge only five hours into a trial that was expected to last several days.

The Times says, ‘For a case that has done so much harm to this country, we are appalled at the dismal quality of the evidence brought before court and rightly dismissed by the judge. It was such a shameful attempt at justice.’

It goes on, ‘The amount of negative publicity drawn upon this country is unforgivable to say the least. We expected a high profile defence for a high profile case.’

The Times says Swaziland deserves that this be the last time ‘we have to deal with such mediocrity otherwise we shall continue to be the laughing stock of the world with the unfortunate consequence of losing all the international friends we need to revive this ailing economy. If we can’t take ourselves seriously, who will?’

To read the full editorial click here.

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