POLICE DETAIN WORKER LEADERS IN MANZINI SWAZILAND
As expected, members of the Swaziland Royal Police have swooped on an innocent meeting of workers in Manzini and ordered the meeting to stop. It was a preparatory meeting for tomorrow’s protest action. After much reasoning from leaders of workers, the police instructed everyone present must go to the Regional Police Headquarters for questioning. It was a huge battalion that was heavily armed.
Participants in meeting were then forcefully marshaled and some manhandled as they were loaded into the police van and a huge truck. Participants included workers leaders locally, civic society and internationalguests. Some of those detained are:
1. Musa Hlophe – Swaziland Coalition of the Concerned Civic Society.
2. Muzi Masuku – OSISA Country Manager
3. Vincent Ncongwane _ Secretary General of Swaziland Federation of Labour
4. Sikelela Dlamini - Swaziland Democracy Campeign
5. Phumelela Dlamini – Swaziland Democracy Campaign
6. Mary da Silva – Swazxiland Democracy Campaign
7. Mpandlana Shongwe – Swaziland Democracy Campaign
8. Wandile Dludlu – SWAYOCO President.
9. Zanele - Deputy Secretary International Affairs COSATU
10. George Mahlangu – COSATU
11. NUMSA National President
12. Ntokozo Mbele – SDC South Africa Chapter
13. Steve - SDC South Africa and International Relations Officer Municipal Workers Union.
14. Sikhumbuzo Phakathi – CCEPPWU/Deputy President of PUDEMO
15. Muzi Mhlanga – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Teachers.
16. Sibusiso Lushaba – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Nurses
Apart from these, many other members of the trade union movement in Swaziland were detained including two journalists from the local media who were covering the even.
This act has clearly shown to everyone and those who have been doubting the state of human rights abuse in Swaziland. This must be strongly condemned by all democracy loving people of the world and demand the quick and unconditional democratization of the country. This comes at the backdrop of many repressive actions from the state against the poor masseswho on a daily basis are demanding multiparty democracy in SWaziland.
Currently, the detainees are still in police custody at the Manzini Regional Headqurters. They are estimated to be in excess of 30 in number.
No comments:
Post a Comment