ARRESTED SWAZI LEADERS - UPDATE

At least 30 Swaziland pro-democracy activists, including many leaders, have been arrested on the eve of the Global Day of Action, opposition group the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) reports.

It says police swooped on a preparatory meeting for the protest action due to take place tomorrow (7 September 2010).

PUDEMO says ‘heavily armed’ police instructed everyone present to go to the Regional Police Headquarters for questioning.

Participants in the meeting were then forcefully marshalled and some manhandled as they were loaded into the police van and a huge truck.

Some of those detained are:

1. Musa Hlophe – Swaziland Coalition of the Concerned Civic Society.

2. Muzi Masuku – OSISA Country Manager

3. Vincent Ncongwane _ Secretary General of Swaziland Federation of Labour

4. Sikelela Dlamini - Swaziland Democracy Campeign

5. Phumelela Dlamini – Swaziland Democracy Campaign

6. Mary da Silva – Swaziland Democracy Campaign

7. Mpandlana Shongwe – Swaziland Democracy Campaign

8. Wandile Dludlu – SWAYOCO President.

9. Zanele - Deputy Secretary International Affairs COSATU

10. George Mahlangu – COSATU

11. NUMSA National President

12. Ntokozo Mbele – SDC South Africa Chapter

13. Steve - SDC South Africa and International Relations Officer Municipal Workers Union.

14. Sikhumbuzo Phakathi – CCEPPWU/Deputy President of PUDEMO

15. Muzi Mhlanga – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Teachers.

16. Sibusiso Lushaba – General Secretary Swaziland National Association of Nurses

PUDEMO reports, that as well as the people listed ‘many other members of the trade union movement in Swaziland were detained including two journalists from the local media who were covering the event’.

As of this afternoon - local time- (Monday 6 September 2010) the detainees were still in police custody at the Manzini Regional Headquarters. PUDEMO estimates there are more than 30 people detained.