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DRAINED: Amos Mbedzi's niece Confidence Nevhutalu PHOTO: VELI NHLAPO

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The family's spirits were lifted when they heard political parties and community groups were planning to launch a campaign demanding his release.

Mbedzi, a member of the SA Communist Party, was convicted of murder, unlawful possession of explosives, entering Swaziland illegally and sedition. He was arrested in September 2008, when a bomb that he allegedly planned to plant at a bridge frequently used by King Mswati exploded.

Mbedzi was in the company of two friends, Musa Dlamini and Jack Govender, who both died when the bomb detonated.

His niece, Confidence Nevhutalu, said yesterday that since Mbedzi's arrest, the family had been struggling to make ends meet and were drained.

"My grandmother fell ill and I had to drop out of university. My uncle's daughter may drop out of the Free State university because she is in arrears with her fees," Nevhutalu said.

She said while Mbedzi was employed by the Limpopo department of local government he looked after the family in Venda.

She said it takes the family two weeks to get official clearance to go and visit him in Swaziland.

"We are required to write a letter with our full details and wait for approval. It normally takes two weeks before we get the permit.

"My uncle is always in good spirits when we visit him, but my grandmother last visited him while he was still on trial."

Mbedzi's three children have not seen their father since his arrest because they have no passports.

"Home Affairs in Venda told their mother they require the signature of both parents and are not willing to compromise when we point out their father can't come because he is in prison."

Chairman of the Swaziland Solidarity Network, Solly Mapaila, is adamant that Mbedzi is innocent.

"He could not have killed his comrades, he was found guilty on charges that were politically motivated," said Mapaila.

The campaign for his release will be led by the SACP, ANC, Cosatu, ANCYL, YCL, Swaziland's People's United Democratic Movement and the Swaziland Solidarity Network.

Comments

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Sat May 18 11:38:25 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 25, 2012

mopediTwiiiiii1988

Swaziland must just free the Limpopo man, His family needs him.
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Sep 25, 2012

warry

I suspect these guys were or are spies maybe linked to NIA. Hello damn all went wrong. Who trained you. Anyway you could have done a good job getting rid of Mwati Iii. Next time charm his daughter Skhanyiso you will know all about his whereabouts and movements and get him.
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Sep 25, 2012

Mosquer

ey!!!!!!this family! his father is in prison and he is also in jail. Like father like son.
I sometimes wonder to many families, you may found that they live with a criminal at home, knowing very well what he is doing and protected him. But when trouble comes they cry foul
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Sep 25, 2012

MommaC

Why was he getting involved in Swazi politics to start with? Dumbass.

Sorry for his family but if he hadn't tried to go all Rambo on the bridge then he wouldn't be in chook. Maybe he did it to get away from you all. What a bunch of leaches - get some jobs already
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Sep 25, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

The man is sick and the sickness is called "Boeramag IQ" he was found guilty he must serve his sentence!!
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Sep 25, 2012

Respect10

Mosquer
ey!!!!!!this family! his father is in prison and he is also in jail. Like father like son.
I sometimes wonder to many families, you may found that they live with a criminal at home, knowing very well what he is doing and protected him. But when trouble comes they cry foul
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where do you get the story of his father being in jail?
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Sep 25, 2012

Respect10

MommaC
Why was he getting involved in Swazi politics to start with? Dumbass.

Sorry for his family but if he hadn't tried to go all Rambo on the bridge then he wouldn't be in chook. Maybe he did it to get away from you all. What a bunch of leaches - get some jobs already
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sometimes when you do not ve usefull point you can do a better job by avoiding texting useless things, so u think they dnt want work? they want study nt the rubbish u talking about
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Sep 25, 2012

MommaC

Respect10

Would you like to buy a vowel?
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Sep 25, 2012

|Sinudeity|

Why can MommaC type duuumb@ss but I cant?
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Sep 25, 2012

MommaC

dumbass :)
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