By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Marco Wopereis, the Director General of the Taiwan World Vegetable Center (TAVI) has written a letter to Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka, clarifying the alleged violation of workers rights as reported by this Swaziland News independent online publication.

The letter comes after this publication exposed how the Taiwan agriculture organization through it’s Project Manager Dr. Sophia allegedly uttered racist statements and bullied Eswatini workers, the organization went on to terminate contracts of employment for those who complained about the abuse at the hands of the Taiwan nationals.

“I am keenly aware of the staff-related challenges that have arisen within our local office in including the article in the Swazi News of December 1, 2025. Please be assured that this matter is being addressed with urgency and care,” reads the letter in part.

TAVI is a Taiwan project implemented in the rural areas aiming to promote and advocate for the conservation, production and consumption of traditional African vegetables.

Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli was not immediately available for a comment, her cellphone rang unanswered.

It has been disclosed that, Tandzisile Mabuza, Vincent Matsebula, Ntontobeko Mbuyane and Bongumenzi Dlamini have been served with letters terminating their contracts of employment merely for complaining about the racist ill-treatment at the hands of Dr. Sophia and other Taiwan nationals.

“We have a very horrible experience working with these Taiwan nationals, at some point while visiting the rural areas implementing the project, we were warned against speaking to Members of Parliament(MPs). Dr. Sophia even told us that we are nothing and too junior to speak to MPs, only them are allowed to speak to MPs. One employee landed in trouble for chatting to an MP, it was a serious issue,” said one of the dismissed employees.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on earlier, Taiwan Project Manager Dr. Sophie asked not to comment about the dismissal of the employees.

“I don’t know how you will handle this information, so I will not continue with this conversation,” she said.

But a letter seen by this publication, dismissing the employees suggests that, the TAVI Director General took the decision after the employees fowarded a grievance letter, complaining about the abuse at the hands of the Taiwanese.

“This letter serves as a formal notice that your employment with the World Vegetable Center will conclude upon the expiry of your contract on 9 January 2026”, reads the letter in part.

Worth-noting, only the employees who filed complaints against the ongoing violation of workers rights received letters informing them that, their contracts of employment won’t be renewed.

It is alleged that, the Taiwan nationals told the employees that, Taiwan have good and stable relations with Eswatini hence no legal action will be successfully taken against them.

Information gathered by this publication suggests that, Human Resources Officer Ayanda Nkomonde tried to advise Project Manager Dr. Sophie not to terminate the contracts as the employees might approach the Labour Department.

But Dr. Sophie maintained that, Taiwan has good relations with the Eswatini Government, she also wondered where the employees will get money to pay lawyers.

“The Taiwan Embassy has good relations with the Eswatini Government, if they make us angry, we go with our help. Can these people afford lawyers?”, she said when speaking to the Human Resources Officer.

The Taiwan World Vegetable Center is funded by the Taiwan Government and is being implemented in the rural areas.