HLATIKHULU - Following the ban on TUCOSWA’s May Day celebrations in Hlatikhulu, Chief Bhozongo Simealne has spoken out on the matter.
The chief, who has been blamed for the prohibition, said the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) failed to observe traditional protocol.
In an interview with Eswatini News, Chief Bhozongo accused the federation of neglecting proper administrative procedures in its bid to host the May Day celebrations in Hlatikhulu. He explained that the federation had overlooked the authority of the Royal Kraal (umphakatsi), even though the Hlatikhulu Central High School sports ground where the event was to be held, falls under his jurisdiction.
This is because, he said, it is located on Eswatini Nation Land (ENL). “The sports ground is not under the Hlatikhulu Town Board,” he said. “It is under my authority.”
Chief Bhozongo said it would have been entirely wrong for the organisers to approach the Town Board regarding land that falls under his jurisdiction.
He revealed that he only became aware of the planned event after being contacted by the Town Board, which informed him that TUCOSWA had applied for permission to march from the bus rank to the school grounds.
The chief said this report prompted him to engage the school’s head teacher, whom he accused of failing to consult the relevant traditional authorities before granting TUCOSWA permission to use the venue.
Chief Bhozongo further stated that he was later surprised to learn through social media that preparations for the event were already underway in his area without his knowledge or approval.
He also questioned TUCOSWA’s legal approach, noting that the federation had failed to cite his office in its court application. Based on this omission, he said, it was clear that the federation was disputing his authority over the venue.
While acknowledging that Workers’ Day is internationally recognised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the chief emphasised that adherence to global standards does not supersede local customs and protocols. “Every place has its own rules. When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” he remarked.
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Decision to ban celebrations to attract ILO scrutiny
HLATIKHULU - The decision by the Kontshingila Royal Kraal to deny TUCOSWA permission to celebrate May Day attracts international scrutiny of the country.
The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland stated that the country’s workers’ rights will be scrutinised thoroughly by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and its partners.
TUCOSWA President Bheki Mamba said the sequence of events leading to the prohibition of Workers’ Day commemorations points to what he termed a ‘hostile posture’ by the royal kraal towards organised labour; one he said may strengthen calls for the country to be placed under the ILO special paragraph.
Despite that Chief Bhozongo Simelane came out to claim responsibility for the prohibition, Mamba fingered government, accusing it of involvement in the decision to block the event.
TUCOSWA, which is the country’s main labour federation with over 20 affiliated unions, had planned to hold May Day celebrations at Hlatikhulu Central High School grounds. However, the event was ultimately blocked following a late-night ruling by the Shiselweni Magistrates Court, which dismissed the application on procedural grounds after failing to cite the chief.
Speaking in Hlatikhulu yesterday, Mamba said the implications of the decision go beyond a single event, warning that it risks reinforcing Eswatini’s already fragile standing before the ILO.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO is a United Nations specialised agency responsible for setting and monitoring international labour standards, including the protection of workers’ rights such as freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
Mamba noted that the country is already among about 40 nations flagged earlier this year under the ILO’s supervisory system, with the next stage being the shortlisting of 24 countries considered to be in the most serious breach of labour standards.
“This development does not augur well for the country. What has happened here amounts to a serious violation of workers’ rights and increases the likelihood of Eswatini being escalated further within the ILO processes,” explained Mamba.
The controversy stems from a legal challenge mounted by TUCOSWA after authorities blocked their planned gathering. The matter was brought before the Shiselweni Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, but was dismissed later that night on procedural grounds.
According to Mamba, the ruling itself reflected contradictions. On one hand, the court indicated that a local chief had no legal role in authorising the gathering. On the other, it dismissed the application on the basis that TUCOSWA had failed to cite that same chief in its papers.
“In essence, we were left with a judgment that does not clearly resolve the matter but still prevents workers from celebrating their day,” he said.
The outcome meant that the federation was legally barred from proceeding with the event, despite having already mobilised members from across the region.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
