MBABANE: Public transport workers say the court order obtained by Government against them will drive the vehicles next during the national shutdown.
“It’s true that workers said the court order will drive the vehicles next week during the shutdown because they won’t go to work. What is good is that even the employers have assured us that they will park their vehicles and align themselves with the decision of the workers,” said a senior member of the Swaziland Transport, Communications and Allied Workers Union(SWATCAWU), whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.
Tension escalated after Phila Buthelezi, the Minister of Labour and Social Security ran to court on Thursday afternoon seeking to stop public transport workers from participating in a strike action, protest and or national shutdown.
Respondents in the matter include Sticks Nkambule, the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union(SWATCAWU), the Eswatini Kombis, Buses and Allied Workers Union(EKABAU) and the Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association.
Public transport workers are expected to participate in a national shutdown that seeks to demand democracy, the release of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza, Mthandeni Dube and other political prisoners.
Reached for comments, the SWATCAWU Secretary General Sticks Nkambule said as leadership of the public transport workers, they were not aware of any strike,march or protest but, they will take a two days break to reflect on the justice system of the country.
“As leadership we are not aware of any strike, march or protest. However we can confirm that workers are taking a two days break to reflect on reflect on the justice system of the country,” said the SWATCAWU Secretary General.
Public transport.