Two trade unionists were arrested by state police in
Swaziland for holding a banner belonging to the Trade Union Congress of
Swaziland (TUCOSWA) at a May Day rally.
TUCOSWA was
banned from holding a rally to celebrate the workers’ day because the group is
not recognised by government in the kingdom ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan
Africa’s last absolute monarch.
A rally went ahead in the commercial city of Manzini, but
not under the umbrella of TUCOSWA.
The Centre for Human Rights, Swaziland, reported today (1
May 2012) that state police arrested at least two trade union members for
holding a TUCOSWA banner.
In a statement it said, ‘Unconfirmed reports indicate
that Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)’s Muzi Mhlanga and
another unidentified worker were taken into a white police van for carrying a
TUCOSWA banner.’
It added, ‘A scuffle ensued during the arrest, as over 20
uniformed police, plus several plain clothed police, as well as those from the
paramilitary wing, the Operational Support Service Unit (OSSU) violently moved
in to disposes the toyi-toying workers of the TUCOSWA banner.’
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