COSATU+Mpumalanga,+Make+Swaziland+Ungovernable,+060729

COSATU Mpumalanga statement, 29 August
=Make Swaziland ungovernable=

The people of Swaziland and the world will never forget the 12 April 1973 because it is the date when the late King Sobhuza II suspended the Independent Constitution, declared a state of emergency, banned political parties and declared the people of Swaziland sub-humans.

It is on this day 12 April 2006 that the members of COSATU were shot at, brutally assaulted and arrested while picketing and demonstrating at the Matsamo border in support of the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. On this day all the borders between South Africa and Swaziland were brought to a standstill as protesters were marching and picketing with posters demanding the following:


 * The release of political prisoners
 * Introduction of the multi-party democracy
 * Unban political parties
 * The repeal of all laws and legislations preventing the free exercise of political rights and trade unions rights.
 * The involvement of the people of Swaziland in the process of making the constitution of Swaziland.

The twenty six (26) members of COSATU, SACP, and ANC who were arrested appeared in the Bosfontein magistrate court on 24 June 2006 and their case was postponed to 24 August 2006.

During both appearances, the workers and the communities in and around Bosfontein were mobilized to support the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. On 24 August 2006 the court proceedings were brought to a standstill for more than two hours as the demonstrators were chanting, singing and shouting political slogans against the dictatorship of King Mswati III and the system of Itinkundla in Swaziland.

The demonstrators were addressed amongst others by:


 * Cde Fisani Shabangu = SACP Provincial Treasurer
 * Cde Bongani Masuku = Secretary General SSN (Swaziland Solidarity Network)
 * Cde I.B. Dlamini = Secretary General PUDEMO
 * Cde Silence Matsane = Member of COSATU PEC
 * Cde James Mhlabane = Chairperson of COSATU in Nkomazi

The charges against the 26 were provisionally withdrawn pending further investigations. As the charges were withdrawn by the magistrate COSATU in Nkomazi announced a programme to sustain the struggle against Mswati which will include the mobilization of the communities and taxi drivers as the entry-fee to Swaziland has been increased with more than 500%.

The new programme is aimed at rendering Swaziland ungovernable until the dictatorship regime is crushed and the people have taken over governance of Swaziland.

//406 words//
 * For more information contact Vincent “Fidel” Mlombo, COSATU educator/organiser, on 082 6496068.**