DITSELA+solidarity+message+to+COSATU+and+SSN

Solidarity Message from DITSELA to The President of COSATU and The Swaziland Solidarity Network

Dear Comrades

We are horrified by the heavy-handed response of the South African authorities to the peaceful protest action by trade unionists in support of the citizens of Swaziland. On behalf of the Board and staff of Ditsela we wish to express our deep concern and condemnation over shooting of unarmed demonstrators and the arrest of Cde Joe Nkosi, the Chairperson of our Board and his fellow comrades by the police at the Pongola border. This is not the kind of response we expect from the police officers in a democratic state.

We are united in our expression of admiration for the brave men and women in the labour movement who dare to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters struggling for human rights and democracy in Swaziland. We join the call for the release of those detained and call on all fellow freedom-loving citizens to join the campaign for a Free Swaziland.

Yours in the struggle for justice,

Executive Director
 * Gino Govender**


 * Ditsela is a Labour Institute set up in 1996 by the country’s labour federations Fedusa and Cosatu and independent unions to provide education, training and capacity building support services to the democratic trade union movement in our country.