Swaziland police shot an innocent bystander in the stomach
with a rubber bullet as they attacked a protest of transport workers.
Bonginkosi Mkhonto was rushed to hospital with the bullet
lodged in his ribs.
He was not part of the protest but was caught up in a
confrontation involving police at the bus rank in Manzini, Swaziland’s major commercial
city. Transport workers were striking following the conviction of a kombi
driver who was fined R4800 (US$685) for a traffic offence which normally
carries a spot fine of R60 (US$8.50).
The protest is taking place alongside strikes involving
teachers, nurses and public servants over a 4.5 percent pay claim.
The Centre for Human Rights, Swaziland, reported that
several other people were injured by police who were seen ‘ransacking’ the
Manzini bus rank in an attempt to arrest protesting transport operators.
The Centre said, ‘Several protesters and pedestrians have
been arrested by the police who are going for any person they suspect to be
taking part in the on-going protest action.
‘The police fired teargas all over the town as a result
harming vendors and other people in the town. Scenes of violent police have
been observed all over the town as police beat up protesters using batons and
fists.’
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