By Sapa-dpa   

The head of Swaziland's banned opposition, Mario Masuku, and a group of South African activists were arrested yesterday as hundreds of trade union members marched to demand democracy in Africa's last absolute monarchy. 

Mduduzi Gina, secretary general of the Swazi Federation of Trade Unions, said police pounced on Masuku as the march was about to start in the commercial capital, Manzini, following efforts by the authorities to prevent it going ahead.  

Masuku is president of the People's United Democratic Movement, a political party that, like all political parties, is banned in the kingdom where King Mswati III holds sway.  

Gina told the German Press Agency that police fired warning shots above the crowd to repulse protesters who tried to shield Masuku from arrest.  

Earlier, police and soldiers raided the Manzini offices of the trade union federation and arrested around 13 South African trade union officials who had come to support the protest, Gina said.  

The whereabouts of officials from the South African Municipal Workers' Union was unknown five hours later, he said.  

Gina said police later told him "they did not want foreigners in Swaziland".  

On Monday police deported South African activists attending a planning meeting in Manzini about yesterday's Global Day of Action for Swaziland.  

Unions and civil society groups are calling on Mswati to revoke a 1973 decree that bans political parties.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article647195.ece/Swazi-police-hold-SA-activists

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