By Bongiwe Dlamini

BIG-BEND:Lucky Ngwenya, the Big Bend Crooks Plantation Agricultural Manager has written a letter to Sanele Sihlongonyane, the Branch Chairperson of the Swaziland Agricultural Workers Union(SAPWU)ordering him to vacate a company house with immediate effect.

The Manager who claimed Sihlongonyane’s contract “has expired” gave the unionist 24hours to leave the house, the influential unionist is currently leading workers in a ongoing strike action in demand for salary increment.

“You are expected to have vacated the house within the next 24hours and keys handed over to the hostel supervisor. Failure to comply with this instruction will force management to take legal action”. reads the letter dated 4th March 2024 that was served to the unionist on Wednesday.

Reached for comments,Sanele Sihlongonyane,a unionist leading the strike action confirmed receiving the letter and described the latest developments as a tactic to sabotage the legal strike action that is protected by the Industrial Relations Act.

“It’s true, I received the letter from my Supervisor and the Management is trying to target me as a leader of the strike action. This strike is legal and protected by the law, everyday, we hold meetings with the police where I give an update report about the strike”, said the unionist.

A questionnaire was sent to Lucky Ngwenya,the Crooks Plantation Agricultural Manager, however,he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, the workers who are participating in a strike are demanding amongst others, education and severance allowance, retirement gratuity and funeral assistance.The employees are also demanding 12.5% salary increment and provision of transport to and from Nkilongo,description of jobs and transport to health facilities.

Reached for comments on Thursday morning, Wander Mkhonza,the Secretary General(SG) of the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland(ATUSWA) said, the Crooks Plantation Management demonstrated arrogance by refusing to engage the workers.

“Sanele Sihlongonyane is doing what he is supposed to do as a leader of the workers, the decision to go on strike was taken by the workers. You will note that officials from the Ministry of Labour tried to facilitate a dialogue between management and the striking workers but, the Management demonstrated arrogance and refused to engage the workers.We therefore, urge all unionists to rally behind Sihlongonyane and support him because he is doing all this for the workers”, said the ATUSWA Secretary General when speaking to editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.