MORE FIND COURAGE

The risk that some people were prepared to take to go to work amid fear of the unknown was telling during the two days of public transportation withdrawals by the workers. A number of street vendors were out on both days, particularly in Mbabane, where more shops were opened this time around.

The biggest risk was taken by transport operators in the Hhohho Region who decided to put some of their vehicles back on the road on day two, much against a resolution by transport workers and a threatening voice clip, purportedly from the commander of the underground solidarity forces, warning of dire consequences for all those who would defy the call to keep their vehicles off the road and stay away from work.

Converged

The Hhohho Transport Association members converged at the Mbabane Bus Rank to hold a meeting, which was followed by a few of their kombis taking to their routes and loading the few passengers who needed transport to various destinations.

Last week I pointed out how the two unofficial holidays were days of reckoning for both sides of the political divide, but more so for government. I asked if the Cabinet team could garner the support that would see ordinary citizens heed the call to turn up for work, even if it meant walking there, and if we would see motorists heading to work while stopping to pick up fellow workers along the way to ensure productivity on the day. Were we to witness some people rise above the fear of the unknown commander and demonstrate their stance on the ongoing political impasse?

It was also a question of what new strategies government would employ to achieve a different outcome from the previous calls for a national shutdown by the faceless commander. The questions were answered on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I dare say that while a majority of people stayed away, there were certainly more who walked out of their safety nets and faced the challenge head-on; not ignoring, of course, that some may not have had a choice.

Implemented

Government came with a different approach this time around, running to court to try and force the transport workers onto the roads, but failing. It also implemented Plan B, which was to put its own buses on the road for the major towns and cities. This was mainly to ensure civil servants got to work and was helpful to the few people who came out and found themselves in need of transportation. Some reported being stranded.

On the other hand, the propagators of the two-day shutdown cannot claim outright victory. The second day was partially effective, as some members of the industry broke ranks and put their vehicles on the road. The fact that threats and intimidation had to be used to scare people away cannot count for total support for the cause.

The objective of the shutdown was to call for the release of the two Members of Parliament (MPs), Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi. The dismissal of the MPs’ bail application by Judge Mumcy Dlamini dealt the exercise a blow, but it did draw foreign envoys to the case, which added weight to the magnitude of the issue. Day two was also characterised by the return of vehicles under the Hhohho Kombis Association.

Described

Its chairperson, Richard Simelane, lamented the effects of the shutdown on their businesses as owners of the public transport vehicles with each passing day. He described the vehicles as their source of livelihood. They wanted to work. So did the businesses. The President of FESBC, Tum du Pont, was at pains counting the losses they suffered each day.

He called on government to take its rightful role and take control of the country. He further suggested reviving the social dialogue platform where government, workers and employers would engage frequently, not just on labour issues, but politics, because it contributes a great deal to the disruption of the business environment. Simply put, he wants business to be engaged in finding solutions.

He is correct. This is a matter that concerns every sector of society and needs the input of all in finding a solution. Unfortunately, this takes us right back to where we are struggling to get to, which is dialogue. We’ve been promised that it will come when all is safe and sound. Nobody knows when such an environment will prevail. One does take note, however, that emaSwati seem more brazen to have it now rather than later given the risks they are prepared to take by stepping out onto a political minefield. 

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