In a statement, the Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO) condemned the “continued abuse of the Royal Swazi Police and Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force [the Swazi army] to achieve partisan and politically motivated actions”.
The SCCCO noted with particular concern the use of teargas and rubber bullets on “unarmed” women textile workers. “Police officers have been heard telling the women to ‘get back to work.’ What is their role here – protection of law and order or politically motivated strikebreaking?” read the statement, signed by Anglican Bishop Meshack Mabuza, the coalition chairman.