Tuesday, September 4, 2012

POLICE BID TO ARREST STUDENT LEADER

Police have fired teargas and made indiscriminate arrests as they blocked a prodemocracy protest led by students in Swaziland today (4 September 2012).

The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) reports police targeted Swaziland National Union of Students leader Maxwell Dlamini for arrest at the bus rank in the Swazi capital, Mbabane.

When Dlamini’s fellow students prevented his arrest, police fired teargas and used batons against the students.

Early reports say Dlamini escaped arrest and fled the scene and is being protected by students.
The SDC reports that a student from William Pitcher College who fled with the SNUS banner during the police attack has been arrested.

Mcolisi Ngcamphalala, National Organising Secretary of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), an organisation banned in Swaziland, is also reported arrested.

Students and other prodemocracy campaigners were attempting to rally in support of day two of a global week of action for Swaziland that is taking place to draw attention to the lack of democracy in Swaziland, where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

Police set up roadblocks close to Mbabane to prevent protestors travelling to the city from other parts of Swaziland.

See also

POLICE FIRE TEARGAS TO STOP STUDENTS
STUDENTS LEAD SECOND DAY OF PROTEST

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