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The Congress of South African Trade Unions whole heartedly supports the April 12,13 and 14th action inside Swaziland.

Following a historic 3 day programme organised by the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) held in Johannesburg on 8, 9 and 10 April 2011, COSATU and those affiliates involved have welcomed the reaffirmation of both the SDC Swazi and South African Chapters of a strengthened and more determined front. The SDC event brought together representatives from more than 45 organisations to examine the origins and depth of the current economic and political crisis, and to strategise a new Plan of Action for 2011 and beyond. The gathering involved both Swazi trade union federations and their affiliates, youth structures, civil society and faith based organisations. The relationship between the SDC and the increasingly important Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) was harmonised and strengthened.

The Plan of Action that was developed included proposed actions on the 12, 13 and 14 April, and several major events later in the year. These landmark mobilising activities will be complemented by practical legal defence and rapid response work, a number of proactive research and economic investigation projects to strengthen a sanctions and boycott campaign, and capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening both the on-going defiance campaign, and laying the basis for a future democratic Swaziland.

COSATU and the SDC

COSATU working through the SDC will continue to raise the profile of the Swazi struggle, isolating the wasteful and disastrous Tinkhundla regime which continues to oppress the people of Swaziland. It will also work with the SDC to build further its expanding global role to mobilise support and solidarity.

COSATU will march in Mpumalanga on the 12 April to the Oshoek border in solidarity with all those forces campaigning for democracy inside Swaziland. COSATU will also be issuing a call for the South African government, and its SADC counterparts to heed the call of the long suffering people of Swaziland, to further pressurise the regime, and open up opportunities for democratic rule to take root and flourish. We firmly believe that our continent will never be free while even a small part remains under despotic rule.

Our members will assemble at Madzanga Primary School 2km from the border and will be handing over a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga. Mobilisation is well underway.



Repression Still the Only Answer from Mswati

We utterly condemn the recent wave of arrests and intimidation that has been unleashed on those deemed to be part of the protest movement. We condemn the theft of private items from those comrades who returned from the SDC event yesterday including union t-shirts, and perfectly innocent written materials. Of concern have been the continuing attacks on PUDEMO, SUDF and Trade Union activists and the use of universally banned torture techniques in an attempt to try and disable the democratic movement. The SDC will be helping to file reports to the ILO and other UN agencies on these abuses to further isolate the regime.

We again call on King Mswati and his self selected cabinet to step down and give way to a genuine democratic process based firmly on the needs of the majority of people of Swaziland. There is no turning back. The credibility of the Royal Regime is in tatters, nationally and globally. There is an unprecedented confidence emerging amongst the poor for radical change. Mswati cannot say he has not been warned following the successful mobilisations initiated by the union movement over the last few months. Recent history is on the side of the people. It has shown us that even the most entrenched despots can be dislodged when mass action gathers momentum.

Finally COSATU congratulates all democratic forces in Swaziland for their courage and fortitude while under attack, and for not losing the appetite for change. It is the duty of all of us outside of Swaziland to ensure that those inside Swaziland are given the support and solidarity they so rightly deserve.

Viva SUDF Viva!
Viva SDC Viva!