Police have fired teargas and made indiscriminate arrests
as they blocked a prodemocracy protest led by students in Swaziland today (4
September 2012).
The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) reports police targeted
Swaziland National Union of Students leader Maxwell Dlamini for arrest at the
bus rank in the Swazi capital, Mbabane.
When Dlamini’s fellow students prevented his arrest, police
fired teargas and used batons against the students.
Early reports say Dlamini escaped arrest and fled the
scene and is being protected by students.
The SDC reports that a student from William Pitcher College
who fled with the SNUS banner during the police attack has been arrested.
Mcolisi Ngcamphalala, National Organising Secretary of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), an organisation banned in Swaziland, is also reported arrested.
Students and other prodemocracy campaigners were
attempting to rally in support of day two of a global week of action for
Swaziland that is taking place to draw attention to the lack of democracy in
Swaziland, where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute
monarch.
Police set up roadblocks close to Mbabane to prevent
protestors travelling to the city from other parts of Swaziland.
See also
POLICE FIRE TEARGAS TO STOP STUDENTS
STUDENTS LEAD SECOND DAY OF PROTEST
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