The demonstrations will have given a powerful boost to the confidence of the oppressed Swazi people to take their struggle for democracy to new heights. The fact that the Swazi government has, unusually, been forced to issue a statement condemning COSATU indicates that they are worried at the growing support for reform.

COSATU however condemns in the strongest possible terms the conduct of sections of the SA Police Service, which marred an otherwise successful day. The opening of fire on demonstrators at Matsamo, which left eight injured, two of them seriously, was an unforgivable outrage. We send our best wishes to the injured for a full and speedy recovery.

Nothing can justify such a brutal reaction from the police of a democratic state against peaceful, unarmed protesters. Even if certain bylaws were being infringed, there were numerous other options for resolving any problems which should have been employed, without resorting to force. The police action was what we would expect from the Swazi police and was even reminiscent of the ruthless tactics of the apartheid police, which should now be a thing of the past.

COSATU also condemns the arrest of 25 demonstrators, including the five leaders of COSATU and its affiliates who were arrested at Phongola. At the time of their arrest they were approaching the SAPS to try to help resolve problems which had arisen at the border demonstration. Yet they themselves were then arrested, taken to the police station and charged with public violence! That is outrageous.

COSATU is demanding an exhaustive, top-level investigation into the conduct of the police at the border posts, to establish exactly what happened and who was responsible for the violence and the arrests. It is clear that many in the SAPS are not trained to deal with protests of this kind, which require an ability to negotiate and reach agreement, rather than to engage in an immediate, aggressive confrontation.

We are also calling for a broader discussion between government, the SAPS and the labour movement to review the policies and guidelines under which the police operate during political and industrial demonstrations, in order to make sure that such kind of brutality by the police never happens again.

COSATU also demands the dropping of all charges against those arrested, and compensation for those injured by the police action.

The campaign of solidarity will continue. It is going to be a long-drawn-out struggle, which must be led by the Swaziland workers and poor. COSATU is backing them and embarking on solidarity action with them, but they must lead the struggle. We know that this is not easy, owing to the brutality of that regime. Yesterday the Swaziland regime set up roadblocks dispersing any persons in groups of three and above.

COSATU welcomes the following statement of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions released yesterday and regrets the confusion caused by earlier statements.