The South African government and business must cut all ties with King Mswati III of Swaziland, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Friday.

"We call on the South African government to cut trade and economic ties with King Mswati's regime until democratic reforms and a transition to democracy is in place," said spokesman Castro Ngobese in a statement.

He also called on South African companies based in Swaziland to pull out immediately.

The union supported the ongoing mass action by workers and the poor in Swaziland, which started on Friday.

Ngobese said the action was aimed at forcing Mswati to introduce democratic reforms, release political prisoners and unban all political parties.

"The people of Swaziland have a right to choose a democratic government of their own, under a transparent and popular democratic process, as opposed to an illegitimate and hereditary system that imposes King Mswati as a leader.

"If King Mswati wants to rule in Swaziland, he should subject himself into a secret ballot box to test his popularity amongst the masses of Swaziland."

The Swaziland Solidarity Network was picketing outside the Swazi Consulate in Braamfontein on Friday at midday.

The Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA) said it would join the network in the picket.

"As the YCLSA we believe that the silence from the South African government only deepens the crisis in Swaziland and this will ultimately have a severe impact here at home," said spokeswoman Gugu Ndima.

"We can't be seen as champions of democracy offshore whilst our own people remain chained to a Monarchy which has no regard for human rights, dignity and democracy."

The ANC at its national general council last year resolved to have a "full discussion" on the situation in Swaziland, Africa's largest absolute monarchy. Delegates taking part in the party's mid-term policy gathering felt "strongly" about the repressive situation in that country.

National executive committee member Collins Chabane at the time said: "What we have to make clear is to make a distinction between the state and the ANC... you cannot conflate the two."

He said the ANC, as a party, had never had a "systematic discussion" on the situation in Swaziland. Once the ruling party did this, it would take a decision on the way forward.

Swazi King Mswati III has been widely accused of repressing human rights, and harassing and jailing pro-democracy activists.

The South African government in May 2010 signed a health agreement on training health professionals, sharing research and development, and twinning public hospitals.