Heavily-armed police in Swaziland have invaded the venue
for a ‘people’s summit’ due to take place today (6 September 2012) as part of
week-long pro-democracy activities in the kingdom.
The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) reported ‘a large
number of heavily armed and hostile police’ invaded the Bosco Skills Centre,
Manzini, where the summit was due to start today.
Delegates from inside and outside Swaziland were gathering
to discuss a number of issues around human rights in the kingdom ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. Among the topics for
discussion was the call for the creation of a People's Government and the
writing of a ‘People's Charter’ that would clearly spell out the demands of the
people of Swaziland.
The SDC reported earlier today that Mphandlana Shongwe,
vice-president of the Swaziland United Democratic Front, one of the summit’s
sponsors, had been ordered to go to Manzini regional police headquarters.
In a statement it said, ‘The police are said to be
threatening the activists that have gathered, stating that they have been
informed that PUDEMO [People’s United Democratic Movement] and SWAYOCO [the
youth wing of PUDEMO] have called a meeting and such meeting cannot be allowed
to continue because the said two organisations have been banned and proscribed under
the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008.’
Later, the SDC reported police had allowed summit to
proceed. ‘However, there still remains a large menacing contingent of the
heavily armed police at the venue. Activists are bravely proceeding to Bosco
Skills Centre despite the intimidation and harassment from the police,’ it
said.
See also
POLICE TRICK, AMBUSH, BEAT STUDENTS
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