• In an official letter released on social media, the Public Servants Association (PSA) announced a protest march in Mbabane on October 20.
• The participants are expected to meet at the Coronation Park at 09:00 (local time). The march will then proceed through Gwamile Street, Msakato Street, Zwide Street, Mahlokohla Street, Makhosikhosi Road, Sozisa Road, and Umlilo Road before reaching the Ministry of Public Service at 10:00 to deliver a petition.
• The Municipal Council of Mbabane has granted permission to the protest march and ordered the participants to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
• The PSAs are holding the march to deliver the petition demanding a salary review as per the public order act of 2017.

FORECAST: Given the limited agenda of the protest march, it will likely witness participation in the mid-to-high dozens. While the protest has been authorized, a bolstered security presence is likely to be deployed along the route of the march and particularly at sensitive locations such as the Ministry of Public Services to monitor the proceedings. Security forces are liable to respond swiftly to disperse the protest in the event of perceived unruly behavior or violation of COVID-19 regulations. In such circumstances, security forces may use forcible measures including arrests and teargas. Traffic disruptions can be expected along the protest march route during the morning hours.

Those operating or residing in Mbabane on October 20 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Coronation Park, the Ministry of Public Service, and protest march route due to the slated demonstration and the potential for unrest.