Swazi activists march on 2nd day of protests for democracy, youth leader arrested
By APWednesday, September 8, 2010
Swazi activists march, youth leader arrested
MBABANE, Swaziland — A leading democracy activist in Swaziland has been arrested during a march in the capital of sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
Police plucked the president of the Swaziland Youth Congress, Wandile Dludlu, from among 350 marchers on Wednesday, the second day of protests.
Police at the scene in Swaziland’s capital of Mbabane would not say why Dludlu was arrested.
This week’s protests are timed to mark Monday’s anniversary of independence from Britain 42 years ago.
On Tuesday, about 250 democracy activists marched through the nearby commercial capital of Manzini amid a heavy police presence.
Swazi King Mswati III is accused of repressing human rights, and harassing and jailing pro-democracy activists.
