The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) congratulated its members and allies on Thursday for what it called a ”magnificent demonstration” in support of the people of Swaziland.
The message came after seven people were injured and 25 arrested for allegedly contravening the Public Gatherings Act at border posts with Swaziland on Wednesday.
”The huge and enthusiastic involvement of the workers reflected their growing concern at the abuse of human rights and the lack of democracy in this royalist dictatorship,” said Cosatu.
”The fact that the Swazi government has, unusually, been forced to issue a statement condemning Cosatu indicates that they are worried at the growing support for reform.”
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has opened an attempted murder investigation after police used rubber bullets to disperse protesters. The protests commemorated Swazi King Sobhuza II’s instituting 33 years ago of a state of emergency still in force now. Political parties are also banned in the kingdom.
Cosatu condemned the police action saying it reminded them of the tactics of apartheid police.
”The opening of fire on demonstrators at Matsamo, which left eight injured, two of them seriously, was an unforgivable outrage.” It continued: ”Even if certain bylaws were being infringed, there were numerous other options for resolving any problems, which should have been employed without resorting to force.”
When the union leaders were arrested they had been approaching the police to try to help resolve problems which had arisen at the border demonstration.
”It is clear that many in the South African Police Service are not trained to deal with protests of this kind, which require an ability to negotiate and reach agreement, rather than to engage in an immediate, aggressive confrontation.”
It called for the dropping of charges against those arrested and compensation for those injured.
A statement from the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), included with Cosatu’s statement, denied any conflict between the two bodies.
”Our non-participation at this particular event should not be interpreted as either disassociating ourselves with the struggle or the issues,” the SFTU said.
”We condemn with the contempt it deserves the arrest and shooting of protesters, which took place at the South African side of the border, and call for the unconditional release of the arrested protesters and we further vehemently condemn the brutality by the South Africa police on peaceful protesters.”
Among those arrested were Cosatu first deputy president Joel Nkosi, National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa second deputy president Sedrick Gcina, National Health, Education and Allied Workers Union treasurer Brabir Badal and second deputy president Mzwandile Makgayiba, and Cosatu’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary, Zet Luzibo.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union also condemned the police action and said its general secretary Thulas Nxesi, who is in the United Kingdom, would raise the matter with the British labour movement.
Cosatu is expected to lodge an official complaint with the ICD on Tuesday. — Sapa