Over 500 pray for govt to accept demands

SITEKI - About 500 tea-chers and civil servants yesterday turned to the Lord as they prayed that government grant them the 4.5 per cent increment they are demanding.

The prayer was held at Lubombo Central Primary School in Siteki.

Also present during the prayer was a group of pupils from schools around Siteki, and workers from Kang-Fa Textile factory.

The Secretary of the Local Branch of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Musa Sifundza explained that the importance of the prayer was to seek divine intervention in the matter.

Sifundza said it was obvious that salary increments had become a national crisis, hence trade unions had turned to God. The prayer service was characterised by singing of gospel songs and revolutionary songs. There was a heavy police presence at the service.

Pastor Brian Nkhambule of the Independent Methodist Church said government’s decision to effect the no-work-no-pay rule would affect the tithes collected by the men of God.

Nkhambule said pastors depended on tithes, and the decision by government to effect the no-work-no-pay rule meant workers would not be able to pay tithes.

He said it is for this reason that he prays that government does not effect the no-work-no-pay rule.

"I cannot hide the fact that Pastors depend on tithes to make a living, so if the no-work-no-pay rule is effected on worker’s salaries, pastors are also going to be affected," he said provoking loud whistling from workers.

Nkhambule attributed the country’s economic problems to the failure of the leadership to carry out the mandate of the people, which is to deliver service and development.

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