The Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) has learnt of the sad news that South African internationalist Comrade Amos Mbulaheni Mbedzi (57) passed away this morning.

Comrade Amos died in Polokwane Provincial Hospital, South Africa, while serving an 85-year sentence after conviction by the Mswati autocracy’s courts in 2012, following arrest in September 2008.

The CPS conveys its heartfelt message of condolences to Comrade Amos’ Mbedzi’s family. His family has endured years of suffering following the Mswati regime’s unjustified refusal to release him from jail even after Comrade Amos suffered from illness.

The CPS also sends its message of condolences to the entire liberation movement of Swaziland which benefitted immensely from his selfless solidarity, and to the South African liberation movement. He was a member of the SACP, Swaziland Solidarity Network, and former member of the uMkhonto WeSizwe.

Comrade Amos Mbedzi gave his life serving the people of Swaziland. He was arrested in September 2008, charged under Swaziland’s draconian Terrorism Act. When the regime failed to prove terrorism, it ridiculously changed the charge to murder of his two comrades, Musa “MJ” Dlamini and Jack Govender, who tragically lost their lives in September 2008 in a bomb blast. Comrade Amos survived the blast but was heavily injured. The regime also charged him with sedition, violation of Swaziland’s immigration law and unlawful possession of explosives.

Comrade Amos fell sick while serving his 85-year sentence. After long neglect by the Mswati autocracy, the autocracy 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.

In memory of Comrade Amos Mbulaheni Mbedzi, the CPS calls for the unity of the people of Swaziland to wage a relentless fight, under the “Democracy Now” campaign, for the complete dismantling of the tinkhundla system which has oppressed the people of Swaziland for about five decades.

Long live the undying spirit of Comrade Amos Mbulaheni Mbedzi!

Long live working-class internationalism!

 

Issued by the Communist Party of Swaziland