Swaziland Army ‘teargas, injure striking students in their college rooms’

Swaziland (eSwatini) soldiers reportedly attacked striking students in their college rooms, firing teargas.

Many students were assaulted with batons and sticks; some suffered head injuries and broken limbs, according to a statement from the Communist Party of Swaziland.

It happened at William Pitcher teacher training college on Sunday (19 September 2021). ‘At least three members of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) were targeted by the military and heavily assaulted. One suffered heavy bleeding from the head, while the others had broken arms, among other injuries on their bodies,’ the statement read.

The following day the college was closed indefinitely.

Students boycotted examinations in protest at not being paid their allowances. They want a refund of E4,900 from the past academic year and E1,900 outstanding allowance for this year.

One of the members of the Students Representative Council Bheka Mabuza told the Times of eSwatini they were seeking a refund as they had been away from campus for close to four months because of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

See also

Swaziland’s largest university closed as students protest over unpaid scholarships

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/11/swazilands-largest-university-closed-as.html

ARMED POLICE ENTER COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Armed police once again entered college campuses in Swaziland as students across the kingdom boycotted classes in protest against unpaid government allowances and poor educational standards.

On Monday (2 October 2017) a police officer was badly injured when a stun grenade he held exploded in his hand.

Police were at the kingdom’s state university, the University of Swaziland (UNISWA); the private university, Limkokwing; and also at the William Pitcher teacher training college.

Campuses have been closed and reopened across Swaziland several times since the semester began nearly two months ago. The Government had promised to pay all allowances by the end of September but this had not been done. Swaziland, which is ruled by King Mswati III, who is sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, is in financial crisis. Bills to suppliers remain unpaid and government health facilities have run out of drugs.

At UNISWA, which reopened after the administration sent students home following a class boycott, students were told that the mid-semester break and reading week had been cancelled in order to make up for lost time. The university has banned the Student Representative Council (SRC) from holding meetings.

The Swazi Observer reported on Tuesday (3 October 2017), ‘Sakhile Ndzimandze who is the Secretary General for the dissolved SRC informed students about the latest developments saying that the university decided to send them home for raising genuine concerns and have again called them back to class. He said they were worried that none of their concerns including allowances were addressed but instead the university added petrol into a blazing flame.’

The William Pitcher Teacher Training College was closed on Monday after students boycotted classes. College administrators immediately issued a memorandum informing them that they should vacate the premises. Armed police were called to escort students from the college.

The Times of Swaziland reported that an officer from the riot squad the Operational Support Service Unit (OSSU) injured his hand at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology when a stun grenade prematurely went off.

It said, ‘There were fears that the officer might have had his hand chopped off, judging from the intensity of the blast. It went off as some students stood near the institution’s gate while others were singing and chanting by Ka-Sonny Shopping Complex.’

Last week the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT) was closed after student protests. The Swaziland Christian Medical University remains closed after the Ministry of Education ruled  did not meet approved standards.

See also

ARMED POLICE END STUDENT PROTEST

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/armed-police-end-student-protest.html

STUDENTS ARRESTED AT COURT HOUSE

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/students-arrested-at-court-house.html

SWAZI STUDENT LEADERS ARRESTED

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/swazi-student-leaders-arrested.html

POLICE ‘TORTURE’ STUDENTS IN CELLS

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/police-torture-students-in-cells.html

PROTESTS CLOSE SWAZILAND UNIVERSITY

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/protests-close-swaziland-university.html