Cosatu in Mpumalanga in active solidarity with the people 06 - 21 - 06

COSATU in Mpumalanga in active solidarity with the people of Swaziland

On 12 April 2006 South African Police Service members opened fire on demonstrators at the Matsamo border gate, which left eight people injured, two seriously, and twenty five arrested. The demonstrators were members of COSATU who had been through the legal channels to secure permission to demonstrate against the abuse of human rights and lack of democracy in Swaziland.

On 22 June 2006 at 09h00, the Bosfontein Magistrate court will be brought to a standstill as hundreds of COSATU, SACP, ANC and Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN ) members descend to picket and demonstrate outside the court as the twenty five comrades who were arrested appear in court. The communities in and around Nkomazi are mobilized to attend in large numbers as they sympathize with the people of Swaziland and share with COSATU the following demands:

The introduction of a process of constitutional reforms and democratic transformation.
Immediate repeal of the 1973 degree outlawing democracy and opposition parties.
Immediate repeal of all laws and legislation preventing the free exercise of trade union rights.
Release of political prisoners and dropping of all charges against them
Allow for an unconditional return of those who are in exile

The media is invited to be part of the event.

For more information please contact Norman Mokoena at 0847110764 or 0825636969 or Vincent " Fidel " Mlombo at 0826496068.