Outlawed pro democracy actions demobilised in Swaziland

The Swaziland government obtained a court order blocking the planned protests on 10^th April but union and student activists planned to go ahead despite the ban. Two days before the planned actions, key trade union leaders and other activists, were put under house arrest. Cell phones were confiscated to communication. On the eve of the protest, the army held a parade in the streets in an attempt to intimidate people. On the day, more union leaders were detained at their homes or offices and escorted by police to tell workers that the action had been called off, which all refused to do. Buses entering the city were turned away and groups of people of 3 or more were broken up by soldiers. The police took charge of the roads and the army patrolled the streets, all heavily armed.

The government, squirming under international scrutiny, has become skilled at demobilising pro democracy actions and citizenry participation. The government certainly has had lots of practice. 12^th April protest have been taking place for at least 20 years in Swaziland, with increasing international attention over the last few years, particularly through the efforts of the international trade union movement. Then there are other protests that are taking place with increasing frequency as the socio economic situation has become more dire.

The Swaziland government remains unwilling to address the legitimate concerns of the Swazi people and continues to supress citizenry participation manipulating culture and traditions to justify their Thinduka system of governance. But the country's on going socio economic crisis has been deepened by a financial crisis in recent years sparked by regional changes in the South African Customary Union that has resulted in a reduction in government revenue. Dissent is rising as the bankrupt government continues to make unpopular decisions, like cutting public sector wages and closing schools and other educational institutions. On 1^st April, government introduce a 14 percent value added tax on basic foods and services, making the dire situation where 70 percent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, even worse.    

The government uses increasingly oppressive methods to control dissent like surveillance, media control and physical intimidation in its attempt to keep the masses depoliticised and unorganised. Actions that are organised are violently quelled the use of the army and police force.

Trade unionists have been on the frontline, speaking up against the quasi feudal system, wielded by one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies, that rewards corruption and patronage. Unions have realised that the advancing the struggle for decent work in Swaziland is impossible in a politically hostile, repressive and unstable environment.

With blatant disregard for ILO's Core Labour Standard Convention Number 87 on the Right to Freedom of Association, the Swaziland government deregistered the newly merged Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) early in April 2012, which held its founding conference only a month before. Labour has recognised that worker unity is key to its strength, which prompted the merger. When the Swazi government deregistered the new federation, the official reason stated was that the law could not accommodate the merger, but senior government officials have also cited that this was because TUCOSWA is not permitted to engage in politics. TUCOSWA had taken a resolution to oppose national elections in 2013, which it called undemocratic unless held under a multiparty system.

Political parties are outlawed and pro-democracy campaigners are labelled as terrorists and suffer from systematic harassment. Unions have called for the unbanning of political parties and an end to the Tinkhundla system of governance that has supressed development, keeping the Swazi people in abject poverty, reducing them to modern day slaves.