[DEBATE] : SSN and COSATU, Dropping of charges against 5 leaders

[Dominic Tweedie]

COSATU leaders cleared of public violence

The Congress of South African Trade is pleased to announce the dropping of
all charges of public violence against its five leaders who were arrested on
12 April 2006 at a demonstration at the Swaziland/South Africa border, in
support of the campaign for human rights and trade union freedom in
Swaziland. The five are:

*	Joe Nkosi, 1st Deputy President of COSATU
*	Cedric Gina, 2nd Deputy President of NUMSA
*	Mzwandile Makwayba, 2nd Deputy President of NEHAWU
*	Trabir Badal, National Treasurer of NEHAWU
*	Zet Luzipo, KZN Provincial Secretary of COSATU

They were arrested when they approached the SAPS to try to help resolve
problems which had arisen at the border demonstration. Yet they were then
arrested, taken to the police station and charged with public violence. The
matter was set down on 21-22 August 2006 in the Pongola Regional Court.

At the court this morning, 22 August, after the State closed their case,
COSATU’s lawyers, Advocate Gys Rautenbach, with Attorney Lerato Monnakgotla,
applied for a ruling under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This
was granted immediately and the accused were discharged unconditionally.
COSATU congratulates the accused and thanks their lawyers. Justice has been
done.

COSATU hopes for a similar outcome in the trial of 21 of its members who
were arrested and charged under the Contravention of the Regulations of
Gatherings Act at another border post at Malelani on the same date, during
which the police opened fire on demonstrators, injuring eight of them. The
same legal team will be representing the 21 in the Nelspruit Court on
Thursday, 24 August 2006.

COSATU has demanded a top-level investigation into the conduct of the police
at the border posts, to establish exactly what happened and who was
responsible for the violence and the arrests. We said at the time that many
in the SAPS appear not to be 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.

The federation also reiterates its call for a broader discussion between
government, the SAPS and the labour movement to review the policies and
guidelines under which the police operate during political and industrial
demonstrations, in order to make sure that such incidents are never
repeated.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson), Congress of South African Trade
Unions
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets, Braamfontein, 2017

P.O.Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456
E-Mail: patrick at cosatu.org.za <mailto:patrick at cosatu.org.za>




Swaziland Solidarity Network, 22 August 2006


SSN PRESS: on dropping of charges against the five COSATU leaders.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network welcomes the dropping of all charges of
public violence against five COSATU leaders who were arrested on 12 April
2006 at a demonstration at the Swaziland/South African Border, in solidarity
with the people of Swaziland.

The five comrades are:

Joe Nkosi, 1st Deputy President of COSATU

Cedric Gina, 2nd Deputy President of NUMSA

Mzwandile Makwayba, 2nd Deputy President of NEHAWU

Trabir Badal, National Treasurer of NEHAWU

Zet Luzipo, KZN Provincial Secretary of COSATU

SSN congratulates the accused and thanks their lawyers and further thanks
COSATU for its practical solidarity. Justice has been done.

As the SSN we want to say our and the people of Swaziland demands remain the
same as follows:

*	The unbanning of political parties

*	Swaziland be removed from the SADC committee dealing with governance,
democracy and human rights in the region, immediately.

*	Free political activity and guaranteeing of the rights to associate,
organize, and assemble without the royal hit squads brutally dispersing
people

*	A democratic constitutional process involving all stakeholders in an
environment without all the political hostilities

*	Unconditional return of all exiles and the release of all political
prisoners

*	Isolation of Mswati and imposition of smart sanctions against his regime
until they comply with all democratic obligations


Issued by the SSN.


For more information contact
Lucky Lukhele
Tell: 011 339 3621
Cell: 072 502 4141

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