Human rights lawyer Maxwell Nkambule survived an assassination attempt at Siphofaneni last year, merely for representing incarcerated alleged members of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF), we haven’t seen the Law Society vigorously demanding the safe return of their learned friend.
An investigation and/or security assessment must be conducted to ascertain if it’s now safe for Nkambule to return to eSwatini, the State must strictly be warned by international human rights organizations not to dare touch Nkambule.
The attorney was targeted together with human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, who was eventually killed while preparing for the funeral of alleged Solidarity Forces member Mlandvo Khumalo, Mswati’s regime was targeting anyone with alleged links to the Underground Forces.
But, my concern is the silence of lawyers or the Law Society while one of their own who should be in court representing clients remains in the political wilderness.
Even though eSwatini journalists were part of the State machinery persecuting me, South African journalists welcomed, supported and protected me, that was when I learned that colleagues must always be ready to support each other in the midst of persecution.
The State persecution was widely publicized or broadcasted until government de-escalated using the State media to try and portray the Swaziland News and it’s editor as terrorists.
Without the support from fellow international journalists, government could have succeeded in the mission to mislead the world about the Swaziland News and its editor.
International journalists demonstrated that an attack to a fellow journalist is an attack to the entire media around the world and therefore such,cannot be tolerated.
Lawyers must demonstrate unity and solidarity with Nkambule, he cannot be in exile while his clients remain stranded, the process of engaging government to prioritize his safety must commence,in fact,government must be forced to prioritize his safety.
Nkhambule did not leave eSwatini amid a warrant of arrest, he was protecting his life.
Now, based on what happened to lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, we know that the State might be behind the assassination attempt and therefore Mswati’s regime must told to stop persecuting the lawyer.
Despite the seriousness of the incident where a lawyer almost lost his life, we have seen the police demonstrating an interest to investigate what happened, on a balance of probabilities, it is clear this was a State political project.
Lawyer Maxwell Nkambule.