Swazi goverment accuses unions over street protests (fwd)

[Chegitz Guevara <mluziett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Marc, "the Chegitz," Luzietti
personal homepage: http://shrike.depaul.edu/~mluziett
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"Jeezuz Christ Mom! I just saved your life, the least you could do is
offer me an oreo!"

YT, in Neal Stephenson's, "Snow Crash."

Swazi goverment accuses unions over street protests
    MBABANE, Jan 12 (Reuter) - The Swazi government on Friday
accused trade unionists of using protests by street vendors as a
cover for a campaign of anarchy aimed at its overthrow.
    ``The street vendors' issue is just a guise for anarchy
designed for the purposes of overthrowing the government,''
housing minister John Carmichael told reporters in the capital
Mbabane.
    ``(It) has been hijacked by unions and political groups that
are out to gain political mileage,'' the minister said.
    The government banned street vending in Mbabane and the
central city of Manzini last month, saying it would provide a
central selling area for vendors. The vendors rejected the move.
    Since then there have been several chashes between police
and demonstrators. On Wednesday witnesses said at least 50
vendors were injured in clashes with police in Manzini.
    Police said they acted in self-defence after hundreds of
vendors joined by trade unionists and political activists
attacked them.
    A spokesman for the vendors, Mathokoza Thwala, said on
Friday the protests would go on until informal traders were
allowed back on the streets.
    Last month the unions dismissed government allegations that
they were plotting a coup.
    In November, the unions and 10 banned political parties said
they would work together to force the government to allow
multiparty democracy.
    Swaziland banned all political parties in 1973 when the
country's constitution was suspended. Since then the Swazi
government has tolerated some political activity but the ban on
parties remains.
Reut02:06 01-12-96

Reuter N:Copyright 1996, Reuters News Service


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