Led by Cosatu, the campaign plans to march in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth tomorrow.

Cosatu's Western Cape provincial organiser, Mike Louw, said: "The bailout is unacceptable. The only legitimate way of providing a loan is under the condition that political prisoners are released, and that the Swazi government agrees that political parties and trade unions can operate freely."

A group of 30 Cosatu leaders, including the federation's deputy president, Zingiswa Losi, have been in Swaziland since Monday, taking part in a week of protests organised by Swazi trade unions. Another 50 are to join them.

Skhumbuzo Phakathi, secretary-general of the banned Peoples United Democratic Movement of Swaziland, said 2000 people had marched in the Swazi capital, Mbabane yesterday, many burning kanga cloths bearing images of Mswati's face.