MBABANE:Maxwell Dlamini,the Deputy Secretary General(DSG) of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) has released a press statement on behalf of the political organization, condemning the assault of Lot Vilakati, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT).
Vilakati was attacked by a group of rouge police officers led by senior cop Nuro Ntibane at the Ministry of Education Offices on Tuesday merely for, demanding outstanding salaries due to President Mbongwa Dlamini.
This comes after the court reinstated the SNAT President and ordered the payment of his outstanding salaries but, Government vigorously defied the court order with impunity.
“The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) strongly condemns the brutal and
unprovoked assault of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) General Secretary, Loti Vilakati, and the entire SNAT executive by the Royal Swazi Police at the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) offices today. This disgraceful act of violence was led by a notorious police officer Nuro Ntibane, and was carried out in full view of the public,with footage of the incident circulating widely on digital platforms. The SNAT leadership was seated peacefully at the entrance of the TSC offices, seeking an audience with the commission to demand the immediate reinstatement of their President Comrade Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini.The illegal withholding of Comrade Mbongwa’s salary since September 2022 is a direct attack on the labour movement and a blatant disregard for justice and the rule of law. Despite two separate judgments from the Industrial Court and the High Court ordering his reinstatement and full restoration of his benefits, the TSC continues to defy the courts with impunity,” reads the statement in part.
Eswatini is an absolute Monarchy, political activists, human rights defenders and trade unions leaders are arrested,tortured or killed for fighting for human rights, political and social justice.
Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers was dismissed by the Teaching Service Commission(TSC) and subsequently reinstated by the court but, the Government is defying a court order directing the State to pay Dlamini all his outstanding salaries.
Court orders are not respected in eSwatini if they are against the Government and, it was reported recently that, Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is being intimidated and forced to reverse a court order awarding junior police officers a salary increment.
PUDEMO condemns assault of eSwatini Teachers Union Secretary General, Lot Vilakati was attacked by a group of rouge State police led by Nuro Ntibane as union bashing intensifies.