LAWYERS FIGHT SWAZI'S DEPORTATION

The Swazi ‘democracy activist’ who was supposed to have been deported from Britain on Tuesday last week has still not been deported.

This is because her lawyers are fighting her deportation order.

According to Tony Dykes, Director of Action Southern Africa (ACTSA), Thobile Gwebu, the democracy activist who organised weekly demonstrations Swaziland Vigil at the Swazi Embassy in Britain, was still fighting against her deportation order.

Gwebu was detained on August 12 and scheduled to be deported on August 17.

"On August 16, I was informed that her lawyer was appealing the order to deport her and if that was not successful, would seek an injunction. I wrote to the Home Secretary requesting her deportation to be stopped as we had concerns about her wellbeing if she returned to Swaziland," Dykes said when asked about Gwebu’s whereabouts.

Gwebu is one of the pro-democracy Swazis who organised a weekly night vigil in Britain, picketing the kingdom’s embassy, advocating for democracy in Swaziland.

The night vigil was to try and organise Swazis living abroad as well as other solidarity activists from Africa to protest against the country.

SOURCE: Times of Swaziland

WHERE IS SWAZILAND ACTIVIST?

Swaziland democracy activist Thobile Gwebu was due to be deported from London, UK, yesterday (Tuesday 17 August 2010). Does anyone know where she is now?

HOW TO SUPPORT SWAZI ACTIVIST

Campaigners for Thobile Gwebu, the Swaziland pro-democracy activist about to be deported from the UK are calling on supporters to protest to the government and to the airline Virgin Atlantic that will fly her out of the country.

Gwebu is the co-ordinator of the Swaziland Vigil which has been campaigning every Saturday for human rights in Swaziland outside the Swaziland High Commission in London since January.

She is due to be put on a plane in London for South Africa on Tuesday 17 August at 20.30 local time.

Supporters strongly believe that Gwebu will be at considerable risk if returned to Swaziland, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The Swazi state has been terrorising opposition in Swaziland and in May 2010 democracy activist Sipho Jele died while in custody, sparking fears that he was murdered. An inquest into his death was opened but has been adjourned indefinitely.

Zimbabwe Vigil, one of the main groups supporting Gwebu,has issued this guide on how people can help.

Phone, fax or email the following, explaining that sending Thobile Gwebu back to Swaziland will put her at considerable risk because she will be known as a pro-democracy activist to the authorities there – a country of extreme repression. Sending her back will be a serious breach of human rights. Put pressure on the airline to refuse to take her.

You will need to include her full name: Thobile Phyllis Gwebu and Home Offfice Reference: G1151098.

1. Virgin Atlantic:

Flight Information: 0844 209 7770 (Open 24 hours/day)

Head Office: 0844 811 0000

Advanced Passenger Information: 0844 209 8703

Fax: 0844 209 8708

(UK country code 44)

customer.services@fly.virgin.com

2. Eaton House, UK Border Agency

Tel 020 8814 5144 Fax 020 8814 5143

(UK country code 44)

3. The Home Secretary

Rt. Hon Theresa May, MP

Secretary of State for the Home Office

3rd Floor, Peel Buildings

2 Marsham St

London SW1 4DF

Fax: 020 8760 3132, 020 7035 4745

(UK country code 44)

Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

UK TO DEPORT SWAZI DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST

The most prominent Swazi pro-democracy activist in the UK, Thobile Gwebu, has been detained by the UK immigration authorities and is due to be deported as a failed asylum seeker on Tuesday (17 August 2010).

Gwebu is the co-ordinator of the Swaziland Vigil, which has been campaigning every Saturday for human rights outside the Swaziland High Commission in London since January.

She has become well-known to the Swazi authorities and in May 2010 the Times of Swaziland quoted her extensively in an article about the Swaziland Vigil. The paper also interviewed a Swazi government minister about the article and the UK protest. 

Campaigners on her behalf say this means that she is known to the Swazi authorities as a pro-democracy activist and the Swazi authorities have made clear they will attack all forms of dissent.  

Campaigners say the deportation is ‘a full implementation of the king’s order to kill pro-democracy activists'.

The Zimbabwe Vigil, a group publicizing Gwebu’s situation says she ‘will be at considerable risk if returned to Swaziland.

‘It is Africa’s last absolute monarchy and is under Africa’s longest-running state of emergency.

‘We quote Thobile’s own words: “Exiled Swazis and supporters urge the UK to put pressure on the absolute monarch King Mswati III  to allow political freedom, freedom of speech, the rule of law, respect for women and affordable AIDS drugs in Swaziland.”

‘The Zimbabwe Vigil is appalled that her asylum claim has been turned down and that she is to be handed over to this medieval despot, who would like to spend the country’s revenues on a Boeing to fly his 14 wives to the fleshpots of the world.’