‘Stop insulting Their Majesties’
MBABANE – Tertiary students have been warned against insulting Their Majesties and government officials when delivering their petitions.
The stern warning was issued by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, in a press conference held at Sibane Sami Hotel yesterday morning.
Buthelezi said in as much as it was their right to voice out their concerns to the ministry whenever they needed to, but they should do so with respect.
He said the tendency of insulting Their Majesties and the government officials should come to an end, further mentioning that petitions that were accompanied by insults were not acceptable.
Insults
The minister explained that some petitioners would not just end by hurling the insults at the gates when delivering the petitions but reduced them into writing. Buthelezi said such petitions would not be tolerated at all.
He said there were petitions delivered with respect and such were accepted, stating that well-written petitions allowed government to even invite the petitioners for engagements over their grievances.
When sought for comment on this matter, Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) President Colani Maseko, said the minister should not be emotional when doing his work.
Maseko refuted the claims that students would write insults in the petitions, but might sometimes be forced to use harsh words when raising their concerns because they were frustrated and angry if their welfare in their respective institutions was not taken care of.