Police Brutality Towards Trade Union Leaders in Swaziland: A Tactic of Intimidation
In yet another display of state-sanctioned repression, the Swazi police have once again shown their true colors by brutalizing trade union leaders. This time, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) National Executive Committee (NEC) became the latest victims of this calculated brutality when they attempted to meet with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). Instead of engaging in dialogue, the government, through TSC Chairperson Amos Mahlalela, responded with force—deploying police officers to intimidate, harass, and suppress union leaders.
This incident is a stark reminder of how trade unions and civil rights organizations in Eswatini operate under constant threat from a regime that fears any form of organized resistance. The actions of the police were not just about stopping the SNAT NEC but were a clear warning to all unions and pro-democracy activists that the state will not hesitate to use force to silence dissent.
The Weaponization of Law Enforcement
It is no secret that the police in Eswatini are not there to protect and serve the people but to enforce the will of the monarchy and its loyalists. Over the years, the police force has been transformed into a tool of oppression, with officers acting as foot soldiers for the ruling elite. Their primary mandate seems to be to crush any form of dissent and to protect the monarchy from the growing calls for democracy.
The deployment of police to intimidate SNAT leaders is an abuse of power. The meeting with the TSC was meant to address crucial labor issues affecting teachers, yet instead of being met with professionalism and respect, SNAT NEC members were treated like criminals. This is the same treatment that trade unions across the country face whenever they attempt to stand up for workers’ rights.
It is important to note that police brutality against trade union leaders is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of oppression against any group that seeks to challenge the status quo. Teachers, nurses, civil servants, and other workers have repeatedly been subjected to violence for demanding fair wages, better working conditions, and respect for their rights.
The Fear of Organized Labor
One of the biggest threats to the monarchy’s grip on power is the strength of organized labor. Trade unions have the capacity to mobilize workers and challenge state policies in ways that individual activists cannot. This is why the government fears unions like SNAT, as well as organizations like the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) and the Swaziland Federation of Labor (SFL).
By deploying police to intimidate union leaders, the government hopes to instill fear and discourage any form of labor activism. However, history has shown that the more oppressive a regime becomes, the more it fuels resistance. The people of Eswatini are no longer willing to accept these injustices in silence. The teachers, nurses, and workers of this country have demonstrated time and again that they will not be intimidated into submission.
Solidarity is the Answer
The international community, trade unions, and civil rights organizations must stand in solidarity with SNAT and other persecuted trade unions in Eswatini. If left unchallenged, the monarchy will continue to escalate its oppression, making it even harder for workers to fight for their rights.
The people of Eswatini deserve a government that respects their rights, values dialogue over violence, and sees trade unions as partners in national development rather than threats to power. The police should be held accountable for their brutality, and the regime must be pressured to stop its war against workers.
The struggle for democracy and workers’ rights in Eswatini continues, and the spirit of resistance remains unbroken.
