Police cracked down on democracy protesters in Swaziland today as workers
tried to celebrate May Day.
Arrests were reported across the kingdom as democracy
leaders refused police instructions to say at home and not attend May Day
events.
The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), a
banned party in Swaziland, reported its president Mario Masuku had been taken
to police headquarters after he ignored a house arrest ban.
Other reports say that the Swaziland National Association
of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General and also Trade Union Congress of Swaziland
(TUCOSWA ) Second Deputy Secretary Muzi Mhlanga has also been placed under
house arrest.
TUCOSWA President Barnes Dlamini and his first Deputy
Secretary General Mduduzi Gina
are reportedly held at TUCOSWA offices by police.
are reportedly held at TUCOSWA offices by police.
TUCOSWA was banned from participating in the May Day
events by the Swaziland Industrial Court because it is not a legally-recognised
labour federation in the kingdom.
Protests have been growing in recent weeks across
Swaziland against national elections due to take place later this year. Political
parties are banned from taking part in the election and the parliament that
will be elected has no power.
King Mswati III rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s
last absolute monarch.
See also
POLICE VIOLENCE ‘EXPECTED’ ON MAY DAY
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