By Colani Khulekani Maseko.

PIGG’S PEAK: Mduduzi Gina, the Secretary General of the Trade Unions Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) says, as a Federation, they will engage and instruct their affiliate SAPWU to take-up the matter of Mbongseni Zikalala whose services were terminated by Rocklands Sawmill,after the employee got injured while on duty. 

SAPWU stands for the Swaziland Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union, an organization representing the rights and interests of workers in the agricultural and plantation sector.

According to a letter from the company, on or around the 3rd August 2023, Zikalala was dismissed by Rocklands Sawmill, shortly after losing fingers while in his line of duty, he was only compensated with a mere ten thousand Rands (R10,000.00) despite the gravity and seriousness of his injuries.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Thursday, the TUCOSWA Secretary General said, it was not by favour but a legal obligation for an employer to compensate and take care of an employee who was injured on duty.

"We shall engage SAPWU our affiliate in the Agriculture and Forestry sector for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported retrenchment of the injured worker, and to further ascertain if he was compensated for the disability arising from his injury. It is not a favour but an obligation bestowed by the law for an employer to take care of the medical costs for an employee who got injured while on duty,” said the TUCOSWA Secretary General. 

Phila Buthelezi, the Minister of Labour and Social Security did not respond at the time of compiling this report. 

Reached for comments Winile Mlotsa, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union (SAPWU) said, they have received reports about the unfortunate injury of the Rocklands Sawmill worker adding that, the matter will be given the seriousness it deserves. 

"We have received a report about the unfortunate injury of Mr Zikalala. We will deal with it urgently, no employee should be fired for getting injured on duty," said the SAPWU Secretary General.