MANZINI:Labadzala(authorities)have forced the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT)to withdraw a coffin that was donated to freedom fighter Mlandvo Khumalo.
It has been disclosed that Government through the Minister of Public Service threatened to stop collecting subscriptions on behalf of SNAT, the trade union was accused of assisting Khumalo whom the Government regarded as a terrorist.
SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini confirmed earlier to this Swaziland News that the trade union was summoned by the police and the National Commissioner William Dlamini expressed concerns about the donation.
“The National Commissioner said he will have to consult Labadzala first, watsi usayokuva kuLabadzala kutsi lomngcwabo ungachubeka yini”,said the SNAT President.
On Sunday, the Eswatini Observer, a State owned newspaper quoted Mabulala Maseko, the Minister of Public Service as having threatened to stop deducting subscriptions on behalf of the teachers union for allegedly supporting what he described as terrorism.
“Vele ngitakumisa(I will indeed stop this). Teachers call me everyday and some reach out to me through WhatsApp, asking what we are doing as government when their executive is seen to be fighting government,” said the Minister as qouted by the Eswatini Observer
In a statement released on Sunday,the SNAT Burial Service Committee said the withdrawal of the donation was a result of unhappy stakeholders.
"The Executive Commitee has noted that the decision to donate the casket to the Khumalo family is not sitting well with majority of our stakeholders, particularly the members, who are owners of this business”,reads the statement in part.
Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko.