[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Swazi protest yesterday: 10 000 in Manzini!

[Patrick Bond]

(And more in Mbabane today.)

Manzini grounded
Musa Nhleko, Mbongiseni Nhlek, Times of Swaziland, 4 September 2008



MANZINI – An overwhelming crowd of over 10 000 marchers took to the 
streets yesterday, in protest over a number of socio-economic challenges 
facing the country, bringing the city to a standstill.



With such a big turnout, it was almost impossible that the march would 
be peaceful and despite every measure taken to ensure that it was, some 
marchers provoked the wrath of the riot police by stoning them.



This resulted in the police responding by firing teargas canisters and 
arresting two marchers for destroying property.



Some police officers were also overwhelmed by the turnout but manned 
their ground.



The march itself had started peacefully but it was only a matter of time 
before some marchers from two progressive groups pelted the police with 
stones. The workers had assembled for speeches at the Jubilee Park 
during lunch time.



The group that pelted stones had caused trouble from the onset as they 
would march in different routes much against the peaceful workers around 
the city.



Not even Jan Sithole of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) 
or People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku 
could stop the rowdy crowd of about 30 people.



Most of the rowdy people in this group were reported to be members of 
Pudemo and the Swaziland Youth Congress (Swayoco) and they were joined 
by women from the textile industry while toyi-toying.



Confronted



It all started when the police while standing between Nedbank and 
Swazibank were confronted by the rowdy marchers by throwing stones.



The riot officers were in a van.



One of the officers responded by firing teargas canisters towards the 
rowdy group, which had then joined the marchers who were seated and 
listening to speeches at the Jubilee Park.



Workers and bystanders were forced to take cover from the teargas as the 
police also came towards them.



The situation got worse when a group of police officers who were 
standing opposite the Jubilee Park seemingly offended the workers with 
their presence.



The rowdy group pelted the officers with stones and luckily no one was hurt.



A white Audi had one of its windows smashed after they missed the police 
officers.



After the situation was brought to normal and the workers dispersed, the 
police spotted two of the suspects who vandalised property and they were 
all taken from two kombis on their way back home.



They were both charged with causing malicious damage to property and 
this was confirmed by police Public Relations Officer Superintendent 
Vusi Masuku.



Masuku appealed to the organisers to ensure that marches are peaceful as 
when there are elements of breach of peace, the law will be effected by 
the police.



He noted that provocation of the police by marchers throwing stones was 
not a good thing during the marches.



While the media estimated the marchers to be over 10 000, the labour 
movement claimed that the marchers were up to 15 000.



This was different from last year as figures were estimated to be 3 000.

10 000 marchers shock police

MANZINI – Police randomly interviewed yesterday said they were shocked 
at the turnout of the marchers.

The police, when speaking to the Times, said it was good that only a 
small number of marchers were violent, while the multitudes were 
marching peacefully. "If you see these marchers, we are nothing compared 
to them, if they could all turn violent we would have to call for 
back-up," said some of the officers.



When asked about the numbers as compared to last year, those who were 
randomly interviewed, said they were shocked with the numbers and felt 
the people were well over 10 000.



One officer even suggested that soldiers would have to be called to help 
them just in case the situation got out of control. However, other 
officers rebuked him said he must go join the army if he thought they 
could not contain the march.



Marchers clash with police


Swazi Observer, 4 September 2008



JUST when everyone, including the police, thought the over 10 000 
protesters' march in Manzini yesterday was peaceful, police clashed with 
a handful of demonstrators minutes after lunch.



It all started when a group of about 20 demonstrators broke away from 
the main group and started throwing missiles at the police. They also 
insulted and mocked the police officers.



What further provoked the brief confrontation was when the marchers 
dragged a full waste bin into the road on Nkoseluhlaza Street.



The main group of marchers was already seated at the Jubilee Park where 
they were to be addressed on the next move, having covered the first 
round of the march set to end at 3:00pm.



A vehicle carrying the riot squad, under the instruction of Manzini 
Station Commander Richard Mngometulu, chased after members of the 
deviant group. The police also fired teargas into the air sending 
marchers running for cover.



During an earlier episode the same group attempted to disturb the peace 
at the bus rank only to find that the police were in full alert and 
defused their tricks.



No injuries were reported except for the brief encounter.



Swaziland Federation of Trade Union (SFTU) Secretary General Jan Sithole 
said though he was not sure what sparked the violence, he was informed 
that some form of intimidation was experienced.



He was reluctant to say whether the intimidation was by the police or 
the demonstrators.

“Though I have not been fully briefed about the main cause, it is wise 
for the police to bear in mind that the riot squads are not supposed to 
be near demonstrators because they are an intimidation. So, chances are, 
the people were intimidated by their presence and decided to be 
violent,” said Sithole.



Meanwhile, the march will today continue in Mbabane where Sithole said 
they were expecting more people.