SWAZI UNION LEADER ARRESTED

Swaziland: Country's Police Arrest Trade Union Leader

The Namibian (Windhoek)
22 August 2008

The last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa has again showed its contempt for democratic opposition and dissent by instructing Swazi police to arrest Jan Sithole, the general secretary of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU).

The Brussels-based International Federation of Trade Union (IFTU) has condemned the arrest and has called for his immediate release.

"The ITUC strongly protests against the arrest of Jan Sithole, secretary general of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), by the Swazi authorities," it said on its online news.

According to the information received by the ITUC, Sithole has been subjected to intense harassment following a recent march organized by trade unions and other civil society groups against the participation of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and King Mswati III of Swaziland in a meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC).

In a letter sent to the authorities, the ITUC urged Prime Minister Dlamini to ensure the immediate release of Jan Sithole and guarantee that no charges are made against him.

The ITUC called on the government of Swaziland to respect ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and the right to organise, which Swaziland has ratified and is therefore obliged to respect.

"Once again, Swaziland's rulers have demonstrated their authoritarian nature by this illegitimate and unacceptable harassment and arrest of a trade union leader in violation of fundamental rights enshrined in international law," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.



Link http://allafrica.com/stories/200808220557.html



SSN PRESS RELEASE ON THE- ARREST OF JAN SITHOLE/
NOTICE OF PROTESTS
23 August 2008

The Swaziland Solidarity Network Network [SSN] condemns in strongest terms the arrest of general secretary of Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), Jan Sithole. These tactics of harassment, detention and torture are evidence of a tyrant regime – displayed by all similar regimes throughout the history of mankind. Just like many of those undemocratic regimes, the REGIME OF SWAZILAND WILL FALL. No unjust government can continue its rule forever.

The whites of South Africa thought they could suppress and oppressive its people forever – they failed – so will Mswati and his cronies. Recently the regime spokesperson lied when he said that Sobhuza and Mswati were allies of the ANC – they were puppets paid and bought by the apartheid regime and they actively suppressed ANC operatives allowing the apartheid regime a free hand. We in SSN will not forget this betrayal of Mswati. Moreover we will forget the poverty and suffering of the majority of Swazis in the hands of royal family that steals taxpayers money.

It is in this light that Comrade Jan Sithole is arrested and harassed. Comrade Jan stands and fights for everything that is just and democratic, while the regime is unjust and undemocratic. Therefore, they will do anything in their power to weaken and oppress the forces of Goodness and Justice. They will fail! Their arrest only strengthen the democratic forces. Their harassment only makes us all more determined to support the democratic forces of Swaziland.

We condemn SADC's appointment of undemocratic Mswati as chair of the troika. It is indicative of the lack of leadership in Southern Africa. However the days of Mswati's comfort in SADC meetings is coming to end. We will do everything in our power to assist the democratic forces of Swaziland led by PUDEMO, to expose the undemocratic regime.

The Swazi regime is getting ready to waste tax payers money on the 40/40 celebrations – this is the Kings Birthday and Swazi pseudo-independence Day. We condemn such extravagance while the people are hungry and dying of AIDS.

As SSN we will protest against this 40/40 celebrations on Sept 6 and the sham elections on Sept. 19, 2008. We condemn the undemocratic royal "rubber stamp" elections under the conditions of banned political parties and free speech. We condemn such elections under harassment and arrest of our comrades. We condemn such elections that results in a puppet government while Mswati still holds dictatorial powers over the legislature, judiciary, and executive.

Details of Protest:
1. Protest 1: Against the King Birthday/ Independence Celebration 40\40
Date: 6 Sept. 2008
Venue: Swazi Embassy, cnr 715 Government Avenue and Blackwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Time: 10am to 1pm

2. Protest 2: Against the sham elections
Date: 19 Sept 2008
Venue: Swazi Embassy, cnr 715 Government Avenue and Blackwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

We want to congratulate PUDEMO on its extra-ordinary congress in Nelspruit, South Africa, because it is banned on its own home soil. We are confident that they will develop a program to bring down the arrogance Mswati and his cronies. The DAYS OF MSWATI ARE NUMBERED!

For more information contact
Lucky Lukhele- SSN spokesperson
Cell: 072 502 4141