SWAZILAND: March planned to protest new constitution

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

MBABANE, 20 Sep 2005 (IRIN) - The Swazi government on Tuesday warned civil servants, trade unionists and church leaders that security forces would block a planned march to protest the new constitution.

Prime Minister Themba Dlamini questioned the mandate of pro-democracy activists to challenge the constitution promulgated by King Mswati III in July.

"Those who want to defy it should have at least a certain percentage of the population to justify their actions," the premier said.

Dlamini's remarks were seen as a reference to the failure of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions to mount a national strike to protest the constitution in January.

According to The Times of Swaziland, the prime minister allegedly told the police to "protect the constitution, no matter what".

The Swaziland Council of Churches said it would hold a national prayer meeting to call for police restraint during the anti-constitution protest, and noted the use of teargas and water cannon by the security forces last week to break up a student march to the prime minister's office to seek university scholarships.

The new constitution retains royal power, and continues a ban on organised political opposition.

Political observers felt that if the planned march to deliver a petition to King Mswati next month was successful, it could signal a resurgence of pro-democracy labour influence.

After fighting off the first real challenge to its leadership, the executive of the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFTU) was re-elected earlier this month.

SFTU secretary general Jan Sithole said the drafting of a fresh constitution that included "all of civil society", rather than a palace-controlled process, was among the demands of the protesters.

[ENDS]