COSATU PLANS SWAZI ACTION

LABOUR federation Cosatu is concerned that simmering tension in Swaziland could spark a refugee crisis for the southern African region. It plans to hold a three-day meeting next month with its Swazi counterparts to draw up a programme of action to demand reforms in the landlocked kingdom. Swaziland has recently been hit by a series of student and labour protests over demands for worker rights and democratic reforms. The forced eviction of villagers who refused to pay allegiance to King Mswati’s elder brother a week ago in eastern Swaziland has also led to the closure of the country’s university. – Reuters