TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

STUDENT ACTIVIST JAILED UNDER TERRORISM LAW

Eswatini UA 7.26

Menzi Bongeka Bhembe, a 26-year-old university student and activist, was arrested on January 16, 2024, and charged under Eswatini’s 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act. He has been held in arbitrary detention for over two years in violation of due process guarantees, in what appears to be a politically motivated attempt to suppress student activism. Eswatini authorities must immediately and unconditionally release.

Call on Eswatini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Menzi Bongeka Bhembe and drop all charges against him as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights - send your letter using our email writing tool.

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Eswatini Minister of Just

Prince

Simelane

Eswatini Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Dear Honorable Minister,

I am writing to express concern about the two-year arbitrary detention of Menzi Bongeka Bhembe, a 26-year-old university student and activist who was arrested and charged under Eswatini’s Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008.

On January 16, 2024, police arrested Menzi Bongeka Bhembe at his family home in Ka-Phunga, in Eswatini’s Shiselweni Region, without a warrant and in the presence of his relatives. His charges appear to stem from Menzi Bongeka Bhembe’s peaceful student organizing, and there is no evidence that he committed, planned, or incited any act of violence.

I am further concerned by the manner of Menzi Bongeka Bhembe’s arrest and detention, which failed to meet international fair trial safeguards. Specifically, authorities did not comply with STA section 23 (authorization, custody records, reasonable-grounds standard, and statutory time limits), and proceedings were initiated without the Attorney-General’s written consent required by STA section 28(4) for specified offenses. Annexed records show the investigation continued for months after the arrest (forensic and exhibit activity dated March–July 2024), indicating the case was not trial-ready when liberty was curtailed. On September 30, 2025, Menzi Bongeka Bhembe was refused bail, contrary to the presumption of innocence. These defects are incompatible with Eswatini’s Constitution.

I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release of Menzi Bongeka Bhembe and to drop all charges against him. I request that the STA not be used to criminalize peaceful dissent and activism.

Yours Sincerely,

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