PROTEST FORCES KING TO MOVE HOTEL

Prodemocracy protestors last night (26 April 2011) forced King Mswati III to move out of the Dorchester Hotel, London, to another hotel, Eyewitness News, South Africa, reports today. He is in London for the British Royal Wedding.

POLICE AND TEACHERS IN STAND-OFF

Eyewitness News

13 April 2011

6pm local time (16.00 GMT)

SOURCE

Swazi police and union members in tense standoff

A tense standoff developed in Manzini between members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and riot police on Wednesday afternoon.

Armed riot police and military personnel were deployed to the streets of the commercial capital after a second day of anti-government protests. Demonstrators are calling for King Mswati III to step down and for democratic parliamentary reforms.

Police were deployed to the SNAT compound shortly after 4pm on Wednesday. Armed police officials were lined up outside the compound where union officials gathered to discuss whether the industrial action will continue.

Riot police fired tear gas at protesting union members outside the building earlier on Wednesday afternoon. Three police nyala’s were also deployed to the scene.

Residents of Manzini said they were scared of protesting as officials continued their crackdown. Several arrests were also reported as government officials tried to crush any dissent.

NO MEDIA FREEDOM IN SWAZILAND

Nastasya Tay, the Eyewitness News reporter detained by Swaziland police during the protests yesterday (12 April 2011) and escorted out of Manzini, has been speaking about media freedom in the kingdom.

Lutfo Dlamini, the Swazi Foreign Minister, had told South African journalists that the media in Swaziland were free to report anything they liked.

Not so, says Tay, who went on to say that people in Swaziland were too scared of the authorities to speak to the media.

She was interviewed on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 on the Mid Day Report at 12 noon (10.00 GMT)

SWAZI POLICE ATTACKING TEACHERS

Swaziland police are rounding up teachers and their union leaders today (13 April 2011) in Manzini.

Foreign journalists continue to harass and more protests are expected this afternoon.

This report is from Eyewitness News on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 at noon today (10.00 GMT).

US EMBASSY SLAMS SWAZILAND GVT

The US Embassy in Swaziland has slammed the Swazi Government and asked it to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

This report from Eyewitness News on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 at 10am (08.00 GMT) today (13 April 2011) says Manzini is still quiet, although there are police on every corner.

Protestors say they will demonstrate again today.