NEHAWU Mourns The Passing Of Comrade Amos Mbedzi
Tuesday June 07, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] is deeply saddened by the passing of Comrade Amos Mbedzi, an internationalist, freedom fighter and political prisoner. Comrade Mbedzi passed on today, Tuesday 7th June while serving an 85-year jail sentence under the Tinkundla Regime.
NEHAWU conveys its deep and heartfelt condolences to the Mbedzi family, friends and comrades in the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and Swaziland Solidarity Network. We wish his family strength and courage during this difficult moment.
Comrade Mbedzi dedicated his life to the struggle for the freedom of our people and championed the struggle for a democratic Swaziland against the brutal and repressive Tinkhundla Regime. The people of Swaziland have experienced repression since the 1973 decree banning all political parties, trade union movement and other progressive formations fighting for democracy.
The Tinkhundla Regime has over the years, imprisoned and tortured many political activists, who stood opposed to the regime. There are many political prisoners languishing in Swazi jails. Comrade Mbedzi was among those political prisoners. Comrade Mbedzi fell sick while serving his 85-year sentence. After long neglect by the Mswati Regime, the regime secretly transferred him to South Africa in March this year, in a futile attempt to cleanse its bloodied hands, fearing that he might die while jailed in Swaziland.
We remain deeply concerned that for a considerable period of time, the South African government could not take the country into confidence regarding the whereabouts of Comrade Mbedzi, including why he remained detained in South Africa instead of being released, especially when he desperately needed medical treatment he was denied for many years. Our government should shed more light on the circumstances of his death.
In memory of Comrade Mbedzi, the national union [NEHAWU] will continue campaigning for the dismantling of the Mswati dictatorship, for a democratic Swaziland and the release of all political prisoners and remain consistent in support of these demands by the people of Swaziland until they are realised. NEHAWU reiterates its solidarity support to the struggle of the people of Swaziland for democracy.
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Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za