Strikes: the SMM’s delegate captured in Toamasina

The situation is increasingly escaping the HAT’s control, as reflected by the resort to force. On Thursday noon, October 7th, eight soldiers captured Rabehaja Jackie Ernest, judge and SMM union’s delegate (Union of Madagascar’s Magistrates) in Analankininina Hopitaly Be in Toamasina, near his own home. He was subsequently taken to Tanandava Tamatave II, then released four hours later. According to various sources, there would have been threats in order to deter the man, and break the movement. In response to such an event, Toamasina’s branch of the SMM union and its magistrates produced a statement condemning such an abduction of the union’s branch leader, and emphasizing that the struggle would be carried on until the recovery of the claimed rights. They equally confirmed their intention to join hands with Antananarivo’s branch of the union. The statement’s publication actually coincided with the HAT prime minister’s visit in Toamasina. A simple hazard or something more? A s being interviewed by reporters, the HAT prime minister Camille Vital denied having ordered any abduction of Rabehaja Jackie (SMM) and added that « the justice minister did not order any action of this kind either ». Toamasina’s SMM and reporters are now on the heels of this abduction’s masterminds. To be continued