The six Mhubhe high school students, Siyabonga Sihlongonyane, Bavukile Matsenjwa, Xolane Dube, Mcondisi Sikhondze, Thokozane Khumalo and Innocent Dlamini, were arrested 10 th May 2019 and charged with two counts of theft and malicious injury to property. They appeared before the Magistrates court and were surprisingly denied bail by Magistrate Philisiwe Simelane. Their bail denial and continued incarceration is a gross injustice and contrary to the principle of
presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Swaziland’s judicial system is notorious for its failure to protect the rights of suspects.

The arrest of the students comes at a time whereby high school riots are unfortunately becoming a norm in the country. This is largely because of the poor governance structures in schools, whereby there is lack of democratic space for students to raise their concerns in a constructive way. Protest and riots
unfortunately have become the only safety valve for students.

Background of the arrests
Mhubhe High school has been rocked by problems surrounding serious allegations against the school
principal’s sexual exploitation of female students. Students have raised these concerns, but the Ministry of Education’s Manzini Regional Office has dismally failed to address them. Hence the riots that broke out in the school leading to the arrest of the six students. The continued incarceration of the students is detrimental to their chance to continue with their education, thus jeopardizing their future. Swazi prisons do not allow remand prisoners to study. And worse prisoners are subjected to dehumanizing treatment in the already overpopulated prisons, who are failing to address prisoners needs. There is no moral justification to subject these students to such harsh conditions.

As a way forward, we call for:
The six students immediate unconditional release from prison so that they may continue with their studies.The Ministry of Education to set up an investigation on the misconduct allegations directed towards the school’s principal.
The Royal Swaziland Police to launch a criminal investigation based on the allegations levelled against the school’s principal instead of victimizing the students who are pointing out to misconduct and calling for justice for their fellow female school mates.