By Bongiwe Dlamini

BIG-BEND:Ubombo Sugar Limited employees are calling for the suspension of subscriptions,they are accusing leaders of the Swaziland Agricultural Plantation Workers Union(SAPWU) of failing to account for about R5million.

It has been disclosed that,the company has been paying the union fifty thousand Rands(R50,000.00) subscriptions per-month on behalf of the workers and the monies paid for the past eight(8)years amounts to about R5million.

Despite receiving the said amount from the company,the union stands accused of failing to allow Auditors to audit and compile reports how the workers monies are spent.

The Branch leadership also stands accused of preventing the election of a new leadership and as a result,the employees have been protesting demanding their resignation.

Muzi Siyaya,the Managing Director(MD) of the Ubombo Sugar Limited has announced that,Executive members of the Swaziland Agricultural Plantation Workers(SAPWU) will go on leave amid ongoing protests against the union,employees are demanding the immediate resignation of the union leaders to pave way for elections.

In an internal memo dated 05 July 2024 and addressed to all employees,the Managing Director stated that,the decision was meant to prioritize the safety of the employees while avoiding further disruption of company’s operations.

“Following the series of demonstrations by disgruntled employees regarding the state of affairs in their Union and based on internal risk assessments,SAPWU Branch Executive members have been placed on garden leave.The affected employees are Obed Jele, Kidwell Ndlovu,Muzi Ntshakala and Anthony Mabila”,said the MD.

On the issue of the Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA),the Managing Director said,the Management was busy working on possible solutions amid a legal review triggered by infighting within SAPWU,he maintained that,the company was not responsible for the delay.

Reached for comments on Saturday, Malungisa Dlamini, the National Chairperson of the Swaziland Agricultural Plantation Workers Union(SAPWU) confirmed receiving the memo but clarified that,as a union,they approached the court seeking a review of the conditions of the leave.

“We preparing for elections as per the order of the court and these Branch Executive members who have been placed on leave are the ones preparing for the elections to be held within the company premises.

“Now that the company has decided to place them on leave,who will then prepare for the elections?.That’s what we are trying to review by approaching the court”,said the SAPWU National Chairperson.