CLOSE BUSINESSES, JOIN PROTEST - PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKERS

MANZIINI – “Close businesses and join us!”

This is a statement issued by public transport operators, who said businesses that would be found operating during the protest action by public transport workers may be under threat. The businesses have been advised to halt operations or face being ‘shut’.  This was one of the resolutions taken by public transport workers as they declared that they would continue downing tools today until the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) in Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea Constituency and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi Constituency. They also demanded the stoppage of prosecution of Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane.

The resolution overturned the one that was taken on Saturday, where the parties had unanimously agreed to go back to work. The latest resolution was reached after a consultative meeting by the Swaziland Transport Communications and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) at the Manzini Bus Rank yesterday. The meeting was held during a cold rainy day at the empty bus rank, which only had the public transport workers present. Some police officers were seen seated a few metres away from the employees, monitoring the situation. Worth noting is that there had been two different meetings held on Saturday; one involving employees and another consisting of public transport operators, where it was purportedly stated that the protest action would end today.

Confirmed

This was confirmed by Secretary General (SG) of the Eswatini Local Kombi Association, Sabelo Dlamini, on record with this publication. However, this decision was contradicted by the public transport workers, who stated that they were not involved in the decision to return to work, lest their demands were met. During the meeting yesterday, the public transport workers emphasised that they would not back down from their protest action and that businesses that would be seen operating would be scrutinised and serious consequences would befall them.

“We are beginning to get tired of businesses that are seen operating. Those will be closed because everything should stop now until we get what we want,” said one public transport worker. He added that currently, schools were closed and they could not make money. Likewise, the public transport worker said no business should be making money as they were all fighting for a national dialogue, which should offer a level ground between national leaders and the public. On public transport that would be seen ferrying commuters, the public transport workers said they would not only charge fees for operating now, but would attack the driver.

Meanwhile, a kombi conductor expressed that they were disappointed by reports that they were returning to work when they would not. He said these were untruths from people who did not take seriously their grievances because they allegedly looked after their own selfish interests. “We will not return to work because our demonstration in the past few days will be seen as futile. Asidlali nasitsi sifuna lelesikufunako!” the kombi conductor retorted. Another bus conductor said they demanded a meeting with the Prime Minister (PM), Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, whom they wanted to personally address them.

“Why are we not taken seriously? We are not crazy and we need to be engaged. Why has government added more charges for the MPs, what have they done?” the conductor asked.  He was of the view that the justice system was selective of whom it favoured as there were some people who were released on bail for allegedly killing people, while the incarcerated MPs were behind bars for fighting for justice.  

Acting SWATCAWU Secretary General Sticks Nkambule said: “The position has been very firm, it has been grounded on the interests and aspirations of the workers that they are not moving away from their initial position, which they have given us - principal demand for them is for the immediate release of the incarcerated MPs and the stoppage of prosecution for MP Mduduzi Simelane”. Nkambule added that the demands were centred around the question that there would be serious disturbances in the transport industry as long as that had not happened.

“So, it doesn’t help them in any way because the disturbances that are happening as a result of the non-release of the MPs is compromising their businesses.  But they are moving further now to say there should be some serious dialogue around the issues of political unrest because that is where the problem is,” Nkambule said. He added that the reason why the consultative meeting was held was because there were varying versions on the position of workers returning to work today.

“Workers are resolute and are maintaining what they said; there is no public transport,” he emphasised. It has been exactly six days since public transport workers have not been working in protest against various demands, the principal one being the release of the MPs and for the State to desist looking for MP Simelane, who is currently wanted by the police.

Demands

Other demands include the rehabilitation of all dilapidated and neglected roads in the country, as well as full compliance with regulations for minimum standards as set by the Wages Order for the transport industry. This, according to the public transport workers, could be done by paying them overtime, public holidays, rest days and preparing written contracts of employment. In addition, the employees demanded the promulgation of E4 000 as the minimum wage in the transport sector. Currently, transport workers are paid between E2 000 and E2 500 per month on average. The employees demanded efficient regulation of permits for public service vehicles. They claimed that the current state of affairs provided space for triangular employment, which directly contravened the law.

They also demanded for the cessation of spot fines and spot summons issuance by the police, and the urgent convening of a national dialogue to address the ongoing demands for democratic reforms in the country. The public transport workers declared that they would not return to work unless their demands were met. Consequently, commuters have found themselves walking to and from their destinations, or hitchhiking from motorists who charge them more than public transport fares.

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