We were also joined by the revolutionary forces of Swaziland namely ,People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) and Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) also with its affiliates and youth formations including the National Public Servants Association Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).

The picket arose from the union's 10th national congress held in June this year which noted the despotic regime's brutal grip on political power characterized by high levels of repression, state violence and anti-union posture. This was demonstrated by the regime's refusal to recognize TUCOSWA as a trade union federation contrary to the 1948 ILO convention.

The picket arose from the union's 10th national congress held in June this year which noted the despotic regime's brutal grip on political power characterized by high levels of repression, state violence and anti-union posture. This was demonstrated by the regime's refusal to recognize TUCOSWA as a trade union federation contrary to the 1948 ILO convention.

We have also seen the continuation and consolidation of the 1973 Royal decree currently on its 40th year, which empowered the regime to ban political parties and thus suppress all basic political freedoms. In its desperate hold on power and the continued subjugation of the Swazi people, the regime is acting in a state of panic as evidenced by mounting arrest of political prisoners on a massive scale, the latest being the CPS Deputy General Secretary, Cde Musa Dube and many others including Cde Amos Mbedzi.

The union is pleased that the picket managed to draw the attention of the world on the undemocratic sham elections that were organized by the regime on the same day. There can be no free elections when political parties are banned and political activists arrested daily especially when the very candidates for the elections are imposed by the royalty.

Despite the fact that the country faces mounting challenges such as the collapsing economy and a sick health system, the royalty continues to live large. The royalty's avaricious greed is the main cause of the economy's collapse.

NEHAWU calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the unbanning of political parties. Independent political formations should be allowed to craft the country's constitution.