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Press
statement on Swaziland mass action
Zimbabwe
Solidarity Forum
April 12, 2011
The Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (ZSF) in South Africa joins
all progressive civic society and solidarity movements across the
world, in condemning the latest raid and unlawful arrests of the
leadership of the labour movements in Swaziland this morning as
they where preparing to take part in the mass action planned for
today the 12th April 2011. Many other ordinary members and students
who were wearing T-shirts from their respective organizations where
also arrested.
The identified
leaders who are arrested are:
- Sipho Kunene:
The President of the Swaziland United Democracy Front (SUDF).
.
- Muzi Mhlanga:
The Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of
teachers (SNAT).
- Vincent Ncongwane:
Secretary General of the Swaziland Federation of labour (SFL).
- Phumelele
Zulu-Dlamini: An executive member of the Swaziland federation
Labour (SFL).
- Nomkhosi
Dlamini-Gumedze: The Secretary of the Swaziland Federation of
Trade Unions' Women's Wing (SFTU).
- Barnes Dlamini:
The President of the SFTU.
- Sibongile
Mazibuko: President of SNAT.
On this day
the 12 April 1973 King Sobhuza II the King of Swaziland declared
a decree that gave supreme power to the King, with all legislative,
executive and judicial power vested unto the King. The decree banned
and illegalised political parties in Swaziland, trade unions, students,
youth and women's organisations, all structures of mass participation
in that country, and peaceful demonstrations. The decree has been
in place since 1973 to date. The people of Swaziland are suffering
from the effects of a perpetual state of emergency decreed by the
Tinkundla regime.
Today members
of COSATU, the Alliance partners and other progressive movements
are gathered at the Oshoek border in their large numbers to pay
active solidarity to the people of Swaziland in their struggle for
freedom and democracy in that country. The ZSF calls on the diplomatic
community, progressive media houses and civil society to speak out
forcefully against such detentions and condemn the bully-boy military
tactics displayed by the Mswati regime.
South Africa
will be celebrating their freedom day on the 27th April only two
weeks from now, for this reason the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum calls
on the South African government to speak out against these atrocities
and take drastic action against the Mswati regime, allowing the
citizens of Swaziland to also enjoy a free and democratic Swaziland.
We pledge our
utmost support to all those who were arrested and victimized and
undertake to work tirelessly in our quest to ensure freedom for
all the citizens in Swaziland.
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