Renewed bombings despite detention of suspects

Petrol bombings of government targets in Swaziland continue unabated despite the arrest of 16 members of banned political organisations in connection with the attacks. At the weekend, two flats belonging to police officers at a police housing development in the capital, Mbabane, were fire bombed. "The bombings resulted in one minor injury, and we are investigating," said the office of the spokesman for the Royal Swaziland Police Force. The office said there had been no arrests in connection with the latest petrol bombings. Two weeks ago, two Swazi high schools, including the Swazi National High School in Matsapha, an industrial area just outside Manzini, the country's commercial hub, were fire bombed but no injuries were reported. The alumni include some of King Mswati's brothers. An office at the Mbabane magistrate's court was also petrol bombed but so far no one has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The bombing campaign began in mid-2005, with the homes of police and government officials the primary targets. After the arrest of 16 suspects, Prime Minister Themba Dlamini and other government officials assured Swazis they could feel safe from future attacks. Most defendants are members of the outlawed political party the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and have been charged with attempted murder and high treason. The latter crime carries the death sentence. They have insisted on their innocence, and PUDEMO has accused government of using the petrol bombings as an excuse to crack down on pro-democracy groups. The movement condemned the petrol bombings prior to the arrests, and stated that such acts were not part of their strategy to achieve political reform in sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy. Bail hearings for the suspects, most of whom were arrested in December, have been set for 10 February, the day King Mswati opens parliament. He is expected to deliver a strong anti-terrorism message.