CORDON GUARDS DOWN TOOLS OVER TORN UNIFORM

SITEKI – Cordon guards from Lubombo downed tools yesterday and marched to the regional offices of the Ministry of Agriculture to complain about poor working conditions.

Cordon guards are civil servants employed to prevent foreign livestock and wild animals from mixing with local ones, as one of the measures of preventing the outbreak of the deadly foot and mouth disease.

They also work at livestock quarantine centres and cordon fences which prevent livestock from Lubombo from straying into other parts of the country.
The cordon guards are unhappy with the appalling conditions they work under, especially the lack of protective clothing and worn out uniforms. They are also complaining about the lack of working tools and poor housing.

“Would police officers be efficient in their duties if they did not have the necessary working tools?” asked one of the cordon guards.
Yesterday morning, the cordon guards stormed the regional offices of the Ministry of Agriculture and demanded audience with regional veterinary services officials.

They crammed the small reception area of the offices and vowed not to leave until they had seen their bosses.
There was no chanting or demonstrations but they simply walked into the offices unexpectedly and demanded to meet with the officials.

Police were called as some staff members feared that the cordon guards could demonstrate inside the office if they did not get what they wanted.
Immediately after the arrival of the police, an impromptu meeting was convened where the veterinary officials agreed to meet with the cordon guards.
The meeting was held at the department’s conference room and the cordon guards took turns voicing out their grievances.

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