Mphandlana+needed+five+stitches,+Makhosi+Magongo,+Times+of+Swaziland

Times of Swaziland, Monday 3 December 2006
=Mphandlana needed five stitches=


 * BY MAKHOSI MAGONGO**

MANZINI—“This is ruthless,” was the reaction of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku, as he watched political activist Mphandlana Shongwe lying helplessly on a bench, at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital.

Shongwe was bleeding profusely after allegedly been dumped by police officers at the hospital gate, following an intense beating at the Manzini Police Station. He said he passed out while being interrogated.


 * Activist**

Shongwe, an activist whose face can be seen at almost every march in the two cities—from marches involving ex-miners to students—had gone to the police station to enquire about the arrest of SWAYOCO Treasurer Sifiso Mavuso.

However, police did not take kindly to his inquisitiveness, after which one officer alleged pulled him into an interrogation room.

“I went to ask why they had arrested him (SWAYOCO Treasurer), but one police officer from Mafutseni police station known as Skhindi grabbed me to a secluded office. He banged my head against the wall. His colleagues joined him and they proceeded to assault me until I passed out. I woke up at the hospital, I don’t know what happened, but the comrade who found me said the police dumped me at the hospital entrance,” he said.

Shongwe sustained injuries on the head and body. He was among many marchers who were taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital to receive medical attention after sustaining injuries from the beatings. While at the hospital, PUDEMO bosses were inundated with reports of casualties, requiring them to make logistical arrangements for those injured to get medical attention.


 * From: http://www.times.co.sz/058.html#article6**

271 words