Swaziland police have
said they will decide who can and who cannot take part in May Day
celebrations on Friday.
According to them only ‘recognised’ workers
unions will be allowed to take part.
This is seen as a deliberate snub to the
Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), the labour federation that has organized
a rally in Manzini, the major commercial city in the kingdom, for Friday (1 May
2015).
After a long and continuing dispute with
the Swaziland state, TUCOSWA is not registered as a recognised federation in
the kingdom ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute
monarch.
In Swaziland all political parties are
banned from taking part in elections and organisations that advocate for
democracy have been outlawed as ‘terrorist’ organisations under the Suppression
of Terrorism Act.
In a statement
to media, Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant
Superintendent Khulani Mamba said only recognised unions would be allowed to
celebrate the Workers Day.
He added, ‘Having said this, as a police
service, we wish to point out as previously stated, that we will be present at
the celebrations for the purpose of making sure that law and order is
maintained. However, this is on the premise and understanding that the Labour
Day is to be commemorated by recognised workers’ unions in the country,’ Mamba
said.
Previously, Mamba had told media since May
Day was an internationally recognised day police would not hinder the
celebrations by workers but they would arrest people who uttered ‘defamatory
statements about authorities’.
See also
MAY DAY: POLICE THREATEN ARRESTS
DEMOCRATS DEFY POLICE OVER MAY DAY
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