SWAZI MARCH TO GO AHEAD

Swazi democracy activists say march to proceed despite police intimidation

By The Associated Press (CP)

MANZINI, Swaziland — Democracy activists in Swaziland say they will go ahead with protests despite what they call police intimidation.

On the eve of Tuesday’s march, (7 September 2010) police deported South African trade union leaders who had come to help Swazis plan the protest. Police spokeswoman Wendy Hleta says 'we felt that they had no right to interfere' in the affairs of sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy.

Minutes before the march was to begin, Mduzi Gina, head of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, said police raided federation headquarters, taking away South Africans who had been camping there and confiscating signs and pamphlets that had been prepared for the protest.

Gina says police are confirming the march is legal, ‘but they are suppressing it.’