Police in Swaziland reportedly
used water cannon from a Casspir armoured vehicle and batons to disperse
students protesting about examination fees.
It happened at Gwamile
Vocational and Commercial Training Institute (VOCTIM) on Monday (3 April 2017).
The Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper,
reported, ‘During the clash, some students were allegedly assaulted with batons
by the police from their hostel to the institution’s gate and the Casspir and
water cannon were used to drive them away from the establishment towards the
University of Swaziland (UNISWA), Kwaluseni Campus.’
Students had boycotted
classes and demonstrated inside the college.
The Times reported, ‘Their main grievance was that last Thursday, government-sponsored
students were sent home by the administration to ask for E6,000 (US$420)
examination fee. Apparently, government had not paid this fee.’ In Swaziland
seven in ten people live in abject poverty with incomes less than US$2 per day.
Later, the Swazi National
Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula told a press conference the vehicle used was
not a Casspir but an nyala.
He reportedly said, ‘Police vehicles will be used when need be.’
The Times reported, ‘The commissioner said nyala, Casspirs and water
cannons were procured by the government with taxpayers’ money to be used in
events of rioting crowds.’
See also
SWAZI POLICE FIRE AT STUDENTS
STUDENTS UNDER SIEGE BY ARMED POLICE
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