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Swaziland border blockade!11 - 04 - 06 |
Swaziland border blockade - 11 April 2006
Leaders and members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, South African Communist Party and the Young Communist League, together with a network of organisations led by the Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] will be demonstrating and blocking all five border posts between South And Africa and Swaziland tomorrow, 12 April, in support the oppressed people and the workers of Swaziland in their struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights.
The media are very welcome to attend, observe and report.
On this day 33 years ago, 12 April 1973, a new era in the political life of Swaziland began when King Sobhuza proclaimed a perpetual state of emergency, whose provisions, amongst other things, included:
The banning of political parties,
60-day detention orders without trial,
Banning marches and demonstrations and
The removal of the independence constitution and its replacement with a draconian order called the 1973 king's decree.
33 years later nothing much has changed and the state of repression has continued unabated. So the Swaziland Solidarity Network under the leadership of the leading political force, the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), declared April, as the Month of Focus on Swaziland, in full recognition of the years of royal slavery and tinkhundla oppression in Swaziland.
The action will start at 07h00 in the morning and the following National Officer Bearers will be deployed as follows:
Oshoek:
Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of COSATU
Blade Nzimande, General Secretary of SACP
Mario Masuku, President of PUDEMO
Buti Manamela YCL National secretary
Bhutana Nkonde, General Secretary of STAWU
Mananga:
Dumsile Mavuso, National Organising Secretary of PUDEMO
John Mazibuko, Deputy President of STAWU
Mahamba:
Bheki Ntshalintshali, Deputy General Secretary of COSATU
Nkosiphendule Kholisile, Working Committee member, YCL
Matsamo:
Willie Madisha, President of COSATU
Violet Seboni, 2nd Deputy President of COSATU
Alinah Rantsolase, National Treasurer of COSATU
Sfiso Mkhabela, Treasurer General of STAWU
Alex La Ngwenya, President of SWAYOCO
Lavumisa: Joe Nkosi, 1st Deputy President of COSATU
Kislon Shongwe, Deputy General Secretary, PUDEMO
For further information please phone Lucky Lukhele of the Swaziland Solidarity Network on 011 339 3621 or 072 502 4141