Share

Swaziland closes down only trade union

Mbabane - Swaziland has closed down its only labour union, which had threatened to lead a protest against Africa's last absolute monarch King Mswati III, federation leader Mduduzi Gina said on Thursday.

"Yes, we have been deregistered," the secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (Tucoswa) told AFP.

"We have convened a meeting with the minister (of labour) on the matter."

Tucoswa had threatened to bring the small mountain kingdom's economy to a standstill during protests planned for next week.

The fledgling federation was formed last month when the country's two biggest labour movements joined forces.

The Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL) and the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) had deregistered in anticipation of the merger.

The king, who turns 44 on April 19, has faced growing criticism and unprecedented public protests since last year due to a financial crisis that has pushed the kingdom to the brink of bankruptcy while he is accused of lavish spending.

Pro-democracy activist Wandile Dludlu said authorities were trying to sabotage next week's protests since the two labour organisations that merged no longer exist.

"This is a crackdown on the pro-democracy forces as a means to weaken the forces for change in light of the upcoming April 12 protests," said Dludlu, who coordinates the umbrella Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) organisation.

Protests

The protests would go ahead despite the setbacks, he said.

More than 3 000 students took to the streets at the end of March when Mswati cancelled scholarships.

Pro-democracy groups commemorate April 12 since the late King Sobhuza II, Mswati's father, banned political parties on that date in 1973.

Mswati is rated by Forbes magazine as among the world's 15 richest monarchs, with a personal fortune of more than $100m. He has 13 wives, each with her own palace.

But 60% of his subjects live on less than $2 a day in one of the world's poorest countries.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.98
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
24.08
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.59
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
+0.5%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.6%
Platinum
904.45
+0.2%
Palladium
999.75
-0.6%
Gold
2,152.84
-0.4%
Silver
24.91
-0.5%
Brent-ruolie
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,923
-0.5%
All Share
72,134
-0.4%
Resource 10
53,280
-0.1%
Industrial 25
99,477
-1.0%
Financial 15
16,643
+0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders