Monday 20 September 2021:- Africa’s last absolute monarch, Mswati, deployed his soldiers on Sunday night against striking students at William Pitcher College in Manzini.

The military fired teargas into students’ rooms, forcing them out, and assaulted them with batons and kicks.

Many students suffered head injuries and broken limbs, while many others remain displaced after being forced out of their residences.

At least three members of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) were targeted by the military and heavily assaulted. One suffered heavy bleeding from the head, while the others had broken arms, among other injuries on their bodies.

Communist Party activists have been providing first aid to some of the assaulted students while means to send them to hospital are ongoing.

The college remains under military control through the night as students are displaced all over the city. Many of the students may be unable to sit for their exams today due to their injuries and displacement.

This is yet another episode which proves that the ruling regime in Swaziland will go through extreme lengths to quell any type of dissent. The regime continues to target the youth and students in its bid to cling to power.

During June and July 2021, Mswati deployed his military to shoot and kill protesters, leading to the killing of over 70 people, hundreds injured, and close to 700 arrested. Dozens lost limbs.

The Communist Party of Swaziland reiterates its call for community councils all over the country. Among the tasks of the councils must be defence of the masses against the regime’s killing machine.

Democracy Now!

CPS PRESS