Police in Swaziland have not
denied a newspaper report that they fired live ammunition during a student
protest.
Students from Swaziland
Christian University were protesting about delays in receiving allowances and
problems over graduation.
Students marched in protest
on Wednesday (31 January 2018) and at least 11 were arrested for damaging
property and causing a disturbance.
The Swazi Observer newspaper reported on Friday (2 February 2018), Deputy
Chief Police Information and Communication Officer Assistant Superintendent
Phindile Vilakati, ‘said she could not confirm or deny allegations of police
brutality and assault’.
It added, ‘When Vilakati was asked if it was true that
one of their officers ordered that live rounds of ammunition be used instead of
teargas and rubber bullets against the protesting students, she said what
happens during police operations was something that was to be decided by those
officers on the ground.’
Students, including a
mother and her baby were arrested and put in police cells overnight pending a
court appearance. Students later accused police of brutality.
Police in Swaziland have been known in the past to
fire live ammunition during legitimate protests. In February 2017 they fired warning
gunshots at civilians when kombi drivers and conductors brought
traffic to a standstill at Mvutshini by blocking the highway and stopping
public transport. They were protesting about an alleged corrupt traffic police
officer.
Also in February 2017 police
fired warning gunshots as University
of Swaziland students marched with a petition to the Ministry of Labour
and Social Security to protest
about late payment of their allowances.
Again in February 2017 they fired live gunshots and teargas at workers at Juris Manufacturing in Nhlangano
when workers were locked out in a dispute over allegations that management planned
to purge the staff of ‘troublesome elements’.
In October 2016 police fired gunshots at
protesting students at the Limkokwing university in Mbabane.
At least four students received ‘serious injuries’ during disturbances,
according to the Times
of Swaziland, the kingdom’s
only independent daily newspaper.
In August 2016 riot police fired shots over the heads of striking
workers outside the Plantation
Forestry Company who were protesting for an increase in pay of the equivalent
of 35 US cents per hour.
In October 2015 police
fired shots and teargas at protesting textile workers at the Zheng Yong Garment factory in Nhlangano. They were protesting against the
behaviour of security guards.
In June 2013 police fired live bullets and teargas as children protested against alleged corruption at Mhubhe High School in Ngculwini.
In June 2013 police fired live bullets and teargas as children protested against alleged corruption at Mhubhe High School in Ngculwini.
See also
POLICE
KEEP MUM AND BABY IN JAIL
SWAZI
POLICE FIRE AT STUDENTS
TEXTILE
PROTEST: POLICE FIRE GUNS
SWAZI
POLICE SHOOT-TO-KILL
POLICE
SHOOT TWO STUDENTS IN HEAD
POLICE
SHOOT INNOCENT BYSTANDER
SWAZI
GUN COPS ENDANGER CHILDREN
http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/swazi-gun-cops-endanger-children.html
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