ANCYL slams SA/Swazi relations

2010-09-09 08:00

Johannesburg - South Africa's "illegitimate" relations with Swaziland's absolute monarchy would be raised at the ANC national general council, its youth wing said on Wednesday evening.

"Good governance must be an obligation to the Swazi people. It escapes our imagination how the South African government continues to have relations with the illegitimate monarchy and dictatorial regime," spokesperson Floyd Shivambu saidt.

"The ANCYL will raise the illegitimacy of the monarchy and its negative impact on the people of Swaziland in the NGC of the ANC."

The council would meet from September 20-24.

The ANC Youth League said the political, social and economic emancipation of Swazi people should be the focus of the South African government.

Suppressing political dissent

Shivambu said it supported the Global Day of Action for Democracy in Swaziland because its leaders undermine human rights and are at the forefront of suppressing political dissent.

"Today, we witness the harsh conditions to which the people of Swaziland are subjected."

"The Swazi monarchy continues to undermine human rights and (is) at the forefront of suppressing political dissent in that country."

Shivambu said it was a state controlled by a few who imposed harsh inhuman injustices on people.

It condemned the arrests of trade union activists from among 350 marchers on Wednesday, and called for a better life for the Swazi people.

Swazi police broke up a pro-democracy march on Wednesday, as hundreds of people took to the streets in a second day of protests against Africa's last absolute monarchy

Police had allegedly pushed into the crowd to arrest four activists. Three were later released.

- SAPA