BIG BEND: Soldiers and the police were deployed here at Illovo on Tuesday to shoot protesting workers who are demanding a salary review from their employer.
Illovo workers have been protesting for almost two months now, however,forceful means to end the legal strike are now being used by the State through the deployment of armed forces.
Reached for comments for Tuesday, Mduduzi Gina, the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland(TUCOSWA) confirmed that soldiers and the police opened fire against the workers on Tuesday injuring the illovo employees including Muzi Ntjakala, the Vice Branch Secretary of the Swaziland Agricultural Plantations Workers Union(SAPWU).
“We have just confirmed that the employees were shot by the security forces for protesting, however, I would suggest that you contact the Secretary General of the branch to get more details”, said the TUCOSWA Secretary General.
Speaking to this Swaziland News, Obed Jele, the SAPWU Secretary General confirmed that that the workers were assaulted and subsequently shot by the police merely for engaging in a lawful strike action.
“It’s true that the workers were assaulted and subsequently shot by the police for engaging in a legal strike action, one of those who were injured is Muzi Ntjakala, the SAPWU Vice Secretary. However, the strike will continue even tomorrow because we haven’t reached a settlement”, said the SAPWU Secretary General.
King Mswati, who, through Tibiyo TakaNgwane allegedly holds shares at Illovo unleashed the security forces to shoot the workers to protect his business interests.
Questions were sent to King Mswati via his WhatsApp number, his Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini whom he introduced to this publication through his lawyers has been appointed Director of the State owned radio Station.
As a result, this publication found itself with no alternative, but to send the questionnaire directly to the King who, unfortunately, had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa is facing a political crisis, citizens are demanding democratic reforms, the country is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch.
It has been disclosed that workers employed by various companies with links to the King are complaining about about low wages.
Police were deployed at Illovo