MBABANE – A proposed march by civil servants at Cabinet and Ministry of Public Service scheduled for today has not been granted a permit.
As per the rules, the procedure is that the proposed march, organised by the leaders of public sector unions (PSUs) is supposed to be granted a permit by the Municipal Council of Mbabane.
However, during a press briefing by the leaders of the PSUs on the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) platform on Facebook, it was revealed that the application for the permit has been rejected.
However, the leaders informed members that while they will not actually march, they will get to Cabinet and the Ministry of Public Service to deliver the petition. Speaking during a press briefing streamed on the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Facebook platform, SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini outlined the sequence of events leading up to the current impasse. He explained that union leaders had followed all legal procedures in notifying authorities of their intention to march and had initially received approval. “We prepared thoroughly and engaged the municipality in line with the law. We had an agreement and were granted permission to march,” Dlamini said.
“However, we were later shocked when that approval was abruptly withdrawn without any written communication. We were simply informed that a directive had been issued, but no details were provided.”
Dlamini dismissed reports suggesting that the petition had already been delivered, stating that it remained in the possession of union leaders.
He said the unions had resolved to return to Mbabane to ensure that their concerns were formally presented to government. Despite the rejection of their application, Dlamini argued that the planned action falls within the provisions of the Public Order Act of 2017, particularly those relating to spontaneous gatherings.
He noted that such gatherings do not require the standard four-day notice period when they arise from unforeseen circumstances. “This is a response to an unexpected situation. The law is clear on spontaneous gatherings, as outlined in Legal Notice No. 2001 of 2017,” he said. “It is surprising that the municipality appears to disregard these provisions.”
He emphasised that the unions remain committed to acting within the law and maintaining peace. Rather than marching, members intend to proceed directly to Cabinet and the Ministry of Public Service to deliver the petition.
“We will not march, but we will walk to deliver the petition. Nothing will stop us from doing so,” Dlamini stated. “This is not a strike. We will be carrying a document, not weapons. We are simply raising our concerns.”
He further urged government to respect the rule of law and the rights of civil servants, warning that union members would persist in their efforts until the petition is delivered.
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Some of the PSU members during one of their meetings. (File pic)