LESOTHO: Union officials arrested after wage protests

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). November 12, 2003.

JOHANNESBURG, 12 Nov 2003 (IRIN) - Another leader of Lesotho's Factory Workers Union (Fawu) was arrested on Wednesday following a strike earlier this week that left two dead and scores of people injured.

Police reportedly arrested Willie Matheo, Fawu's deputy secretary-general, at the union's headquarters in the capital Maseru early on Wednesday morning.

Both Matheo and Fawu secretary-general Billy Macaefa, who was arrested on Monday, are expected to face charges of causing public disorder and damage to property.

"Both of our leaders are now in custody without having being formally charged. It seems as if the police don't know what to charge them with," Fawu's regional coordinator, Sam Mokhele, told IRIN.

Thousands of workers marched to the offices of the Employers' Association of Lesotho early on Monday to hand over a petition protesting a 5.5 percent wage increase offered by textile factories.

Police have alleged that the protest turned violent, prompting the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. In the melee a women was trampled to death. Another man reportedly died later in hospital from wounds incurred during the scuffles.

The union told IRIN the police had failed to issue a warning to its supporters before opening fire on the crowd. "There is no basis to the police claims [of public disorder and property damage], and we promise to sue the police services for their unjustified actions," Mokhele said.

IMPRIMIR