Times Of Swaziland: EFF, PUDEMO MEET TO REVIVE #FREESD CAMPAIGN

EFF, PUDEMO MEET TO REVIVE #FREESD CAMPAIGN
================================================================================
 BY JOSEPH ZULU  on 16/06/2017 04:34:00


PIGG’S PEAK – It appears Swaziland may have to brace itself for waves of
campaigns under the hashtag ‘FreeSwaziland’.
This follows a meeting between representatives of the proscribed People’s
United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
In the past, a similar campaign had been characterised with marches that
sometimes resulted in violent confrontations with the police.
Mario Masuku who is PUDEMO president with others including Mphandlana Shongwe,
were spotted in a photo that was posted on the EFF’s official twitter account.
PUDEMO is a proscribed organisation in Swaziland and also has a youth wing known
as the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).
Mlungisi Makhanya, the Secretary General of PUDEMO, said he was aware of the
visit to South Africa by representatives of PUDEMO.
He, however, requested to respond via an emailed statement.
During the conversation, Makhanya confirmed that officials from the banned
political party had met with EFF officials.
Makhanya further hinted that the members would then continue with activities
today. South Africans will today commemorate Youth Day which coincides with the
June 16, 1976 youth uprising.
Julius Malema, the President of EFF is expected to speak during an EFF meeting
today.
Meanwhile, in response to a questionnaire that was forwarded to the Government
Press Secretary Percy Simelane, regarding the proposed collaboration between EFF
and PUDEMO, his response was that the campaign was mainly about bombing
citizens.
“We have not forgotten that the campaign was about bombing citizens into
submission and destroying government infrastructure including bridges”, said
Simelane.
He further said government would not negotiate with politically bankrupt parties
such as the EFF in South Africa.
Simelane stated that the EFF ‘spent most of its time boxing itself out of the
ring of international respect’. He said the destiny of Swaziland was in the
hands of its people and not at the mercy of its neighbouring or any nation
anywhere in the world.
The press secretary further said PUDEMO remained a proscribed entity in the
country.