News

Police in Swaziland detained some 50 people on Monday including Swazi activists and representatives from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in a peaceful meeting of pro-democracy activists at in Manzini.



According to reports, all the detained workers have been released from police detention and the South Africa trade unionists were deported immediately. Another South African delegation of about 20 people from SAMWU was denied entry into the country.



Tuesday was the Global Day for Action for Swaziland to support its struggle for democracy and human rights. The country has been led by King Mswati III for 24 years. The first Swaziland’s constitution was ratified in 2006 but the king holds executive, legislative and judicial power. The government has put tremendous pressure on the civil society, trades union and human rights activists and has banned opposition political parties.



UNI Africa joins the call for democracy being made by the global trade union and human rights communities as well as the unconditional release of those activists whom are still in detention.