Govt targeting SNAT president to intimidate unions – NAPSAWU

PIGG’S PEAK – Is the government targeting SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini to intimidate other union leaders from speaking out?

Oscar Nkambule, the President of the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), yesterday said about the recent charges levelled against Dlamini. He was charged with absenteeism.

Speaking during the International Teachers’ Day commemorated at the Killarney Sports Ground in Pigg’s Peak, Nkambule said it was surprising that the government viewed unions as partners yet they treated them as enemies.

He said one example were the charges that were slapped on the SNAT president. He said because of the charges, this would make it difficult for union leaders because the government was using this as intimidation. “This is the way the government wants to make us weak,” he said.

SUPPORT

He said as leaders and union representatives, they should support their leaders so that the government could not intimidate them. He said in the near future, a time would come when they would paint the streets red, referring to the colour of the union. “The streets will be busy,” he said.

The NAPSAWU president said should the people be afraid to go to the streets, it would mean that they had failed their leaders.

Further, Nkambule called for unions to unite. The SNAT president was also one of the main speakers yesterday at the event.

Other union representatives who also spoke included Colani Maseko from the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) was also among the main speakers. Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) President Sakhile ‘Aw’viva’ Nxumalo was also in attendance.

COMMENDED

Musa Sifundza, the National Organiser for the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), who was one of the key speakers, commended SNAT for having a firm leadership. Sifundza also called for unity among the unions.

Sifundza also said it was worrying that many of the teachers were hired on contracts and that this was a serious concern.

He said this had resulted in many people leaving the profession simply because their contracts had expired. “As we speak, in December, some teachers’ contracts will be expiring,” the unionist said.

He said as a federation, TUCOSWA should condemn the hiring of teachers on contract.

Sifundza also spoke about the continued political unrest adding that soon, the government would use it for ‘union bashing’. He said government would ensure that leaders of unions would not be able to speak about issues of governance.