Lawyer Thulani Maseko pays E15 000, out of jail

MBABANE- Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko had his bail application not opposed yesterday.

Maseko went home after paying E15 000 cash. He was released from the Sidvwashini Prison at around noon yesterday. At the gate he found a handful of comrades waiting to welcome him and they immediately burst into a song.
Toy-toying was the order of the day. Maseko is facing sedition charges.
In court, Maseko was represented by another human rights lawyer and acting President of the Law Society Mandla Mkhwanazi while Ndzingeko Dlamini appeared for the state.

Maseko’s application was first on the roll and appeared before Judge Qinisile Mabuza, who first told him to stand up and proceeded to greet him and enquired how he was. Maseko responded by telling the judge he was fine.
Notably, the judge did this only to Maseko, even though there were over 15 other suspects who had come to apply for bail.

Asked later why he singled out Maseko, the judge said Maseko was an officer of the High Court and deserved the treatment she afforded him.
Maseko’s appearance at the High Court seemed to attract attention from the staffers at the High Court who all wanted to see him parti-cularly because he came chained in leg irons.

However, Maseko appeared calm and even had time to belt a smile to his comrades who had crammed the High Court.
Seen in court yesterday was Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Orga-nisations’ (SCCCO) Stephen Doghy, political activist Mphandlana Shongwe, SWAYOCO’s Wandile Dludlu and Thabile Zwane amongst other activists.
Maseko’s application was very brief as there were no arguments and Mkhwanazi told the judge that the crown was not opposing Maseko’s bail and handed in a recognisance form, which contains some of the conditions attached to his bail.

Maseko told the court that he would not commit any offence whilst out on bail and that he would not abscond trial once admitted to bail.
“I undertake to appear in court on each and every occasion ordered to do so by this honourable court. I also undertake not to and I do not intend or contemplate taking permanent residence outside the jurisdiction of the above mentioned court,” reads Maseko’s court papers in part.