THE COSATU SWAZILAND DEMO!

BLOCKADE: CALM AT BORDERS

 

http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=34001&section=main

 

By Bheki Gama

YESTERDAY'S protests at the country's border posts were without nasty incidence.

It was gathered that all the other borders, but Ngwenya were without protests. About 50 members of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) assembled at Ngwenya border post where there was heavy police presence. In fact, the police outnumbered the protesters by far. Hhohho Regional Commander Superintendent Andrew Sibandze told the protesters found by the side of the road to disperse, giving them 15 minutes to do so. They resisted and continued singing protest songs until the given time elapsed. The commander then returned and ordered them to leave within 10 minutes, but still they did not budge. He then motioned Platoon Commander Charles Tsabedze to take charge. Tsabedze gave them two minutes to disperse and they still declined. Afterwards, police swooped in and hauled each one of them into the waiting vans which later sped towards Mbabane without any use of force on either side. Before they were bungled into the vans, Tsabedze explained that the police did not intend any harm. "We will peacefully take you to the vans and ferry you away," he said.

Supt. Nsibandze and other senior officers were on their cellphones most of the time, giving directions as to where the PUDEMO members should be off- loaded. He was also heard saying they should be dropped at different locations out of town so they would find it difficult to re-assemble. However, he told The Swazi Observer that the protesters were free to meet anywhere as long as it was away from the border.

He also explained that PUDEMO applied to the Police Commissioner to stage the blockage, mentioning that they were refused permission. "It was a peaceful move," Supt. Nsibandze said during an interview later. He said it was on that strength that they asked the protesters to disperse. However, PUDEMO's Deputy Secretary General Stuki Motsa-Mamba, who was found at a roadblock in Motshane, said the police were holding her captive and refusing to let her join the others. She said she did not know whether she had been arrested or not.

...On the other side

THE protest was, however, felt on the South African side where hundreds of Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) members had assembled about three kilometres up the road.

They then marched to the border post whilst behind the procession were vehicles, mostly trucks destined for Swaziland. As soon as they reached the border, the protesters blocked the road with mini-buses as speakers took to the podium. A petition signed by the South African-based organisations, including Communist Party (SACP), COSATU and Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), was read by COSATU Deputy President Sotaka Lulamile who was accompanied by Deputy Chairperson (Mpumalanga Province) Dekeledi Gladys Mhlanga.

Lulamile later handed over the petition to Deputy Councillor of the Albert Luthuli Municipality Timothy Motsa who represented SA Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Makhosazana Zuma. The petition was also copied to SADC and Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon. The petition raised seven issues, all bordering on the country's political situation. Before the protesters dispersed after 2 p.m, Bongani Masuku of SSN told the gathering that he had just been informed that Swazi police had arrested a number of PUDEMO members who were taken to Lobamba Police Station. He also announced that more were arrested and kept at Tshaneni Police Station while the situation at Lavumisa border was tense.

However, Police Spokesperson Superintendent Vusie Masuku refuted the allegations, saying only six, including Mphandlana Shongwe were arrested at Mananga border at 6 a.m yesterday. They were charged with being found in possession of seditious publications.

COSATU allowed to

protest not blockade

Councillor at the South African High Commission Lucas Mokoena said his government had granted COSATU permission to protest not blockade.

He said his government and the constitution allowed for peaceful assembly and protest action. "That is why the Deputy Councillor received the petition on behalf of government," he said, adding "protesters were peaceful and well-behaved."

Mokoena said the South African government was guided by the principles of the sovereignty of states and other protocols. "COSATU does not represent the views of government," he announced, adding that it comprised just a fraction of the South African populace, whom he said had every right to assemble for peaceful protests.

He supported Foreign Affairs Minister Mathendele Dlamini's position that the two governments were in constant contact with each other. Mokoena said what looked like a blockade was, in fact, the time when protesters were listening to speeches. He said it was too brief to warrant being called a blockade.

About the petition, Mokoena said they were concerned with government to government issues, emphasising that COSATU did not, in any way, represent the South African government's position. He also said all the other border posts were operating as normal.

Govt says no disturbances

GOVERNMENT Spokesperson Percy Simelane said it was business as usual despite yesterday's border blockade by South African-based organisations.

Simelane said there were no reports of any blockades taking place, adding that people and vehicles were moving in and out of the country freely. When told about the brief blockade at Ngwenya border post, Simelane said he had not yet been briefed about the matter and "therefore I cannot comment further."

He was then asked about the petition, to which he responded by disputing the contents, saying the country was ruled democratically and that all processes were done in a democratic manner.

He said everyone was invited to contribute to the constitution and those who did not participate did so out of their own volition. The petition was calling for "a democratically elected National Constitutional Forum", amongst seven issues.

 

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PROFESSOR ROBERT MUGABE (THABO MBEKI"S HERO!)

"Degrees in violence!"

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE!

President Morgan Tsvangirai!

GRACE KWINJE (AFTER THE ZANU-PF "TSUNAMI")

"Nothing more to add, Your Worship!"

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF THE ONE-PARTY STATE!

"MANY BELIEVE THE NON-VIOLENT STANCE MUST BE REVIEWED!"

"THE MUGABE WAY!" MUGABE IS THE PROFESSOR OF VIOLENCE!

SO MUGABE IS SMILING....IS HE?" What gives him the confidence to cross the line so freely? Is it Mbeki?

These are Zimbabweans demonstrating in J"burg! (refer www.fozc.blogspot.com)

"We need to engage COSATU to add weight to our efforts!"

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