Elderly, minors forced to walk long distances

MANZINI – The elderly and minors were subjected to walking long distances as there was no transport in Manzini from 8am until 5pm.

The elderly were seen walking either towards Nazarene Traffic Lights or towards Green Valley in a quest to hitchhike as there was no transport. Later they were joined by pupils from both primary and secondary schools.

Also, employees of businesses that are in close proximity to the bus rank had an early but frustrating day as they had to walk long distances. At the bus stops and hitchhiking spots, there were some public transport workers who were ensuring that there were no vehicles making a quick buck by transporting passengers.

At around 4pm, some public transport vehicles were seen loading passengers on the outskirts of the city. However, Chairperson of the National Road Transport Council Magesi Dlamini assured the public that they had faith that transport would be available today.

He said this was because the challenge that had resulted in the hub of the country coming to a standstill had been resolved. Three transport associations, according to Dlamini, donated the E30 000 that was needed to bail out the five public transport workers who were arrested.

Donated

He said the transport associations donated E10 000 each and they are: Swaziland Local Transport Association, Swaziland Buses Association and Swaziland Freight Association. The five public transport workers were then warned to respect their bail conditions and also ensure that they presented themselves in court at all instances.

All this was said in a brief press conference held at the Manzini Police Regional Headquarters just before 7pm yesterday.

A police Casspir which was used by officers to drive the protesting public transport workers out of the city centre.

One of the public transport workers, Phathizwe Manana, was allegedly shot by members of the State security organs.