(WiPC/IFEX) – On 23 April 1999, poet Mzwakhe Mbuli was sentenced to thirteen years for armed robbery and five years for possession of a hand grenade. **Updates IFEX alert of 9 December 1998** Mbuli continues to claim his innocence. According to him the whole affair is a set-up. He alleges that he was framed by […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 23 April 1999, poet Mzwakhe Mbuli was sentenced to thirteen
years for armed robbery and five years for possession of a hand grenade.
**Updates IFEX alert of 9 December 1998**
Mbuli continues to claim his innocence. According to him the whole affair is
a set-up. He alleges that he was framed by the South African Police in an
attempt to prevent him from speaking out on corruption and drug involvement
within the African National Congress (ANC).
Mbuli’s lawyer is now in the process of lodging an appeal.
The WiPC is not currently in a position to assess Mbuli’s claim that he has
been the victim of a frame-up. Although it appears that Mbuli has had a fair
trial, PEN has in the past expressed its concern over the exceedingly long
period which he spent in pre-trial detention and the fact that he was three
times denied bail.
At this stage, the WiPC plans to take no further action on this case until
it has learnt of the outcome of the appeal.
Following conviction, Mbuli has been moved from remand to another part of
Pretoria prison and during the first three months the number of prison
visits, letters, and other communications with the outside world will be
more limited than has been the case.
Recommended Action
Letters of support that may help alleviate Mbuli’s isolation, can be sent
to:
Mzwakhe Mbuli
Pretoria Local Prison
Private Bag X45
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
