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SNAT, nurses, workers to join parents' march

18/07/2012 00:00:00 SAMKELO NGWENYA

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MBABANE — Teachers, nurses and civil servants will join the parents’ march to Parliament scheduled for today.

Nurses yesterday reaffirmed their stance to completely shut down all hospitals and clinics and join the call for the 4.5 per cent salary increment.

Nurses will join parents who recently petitioned Parliament to pass a vote of no confidence on the Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini-led Cabinet for failing to resolve the teachers’ impasse.

Nurses held consultative meetings in the various health centres following their Monday resolution to engage on ‘Wafa Wafa’ or ‘Wagula Wafa’ (get sick and die) protest. Nurses have decided to join the protest in solidarity with civil servants over the cost of living adjustment.

President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), Bheki Mamba, said their resolution to strike, as taken in the mass meeting continue as planned.

SWADNU executive mesmbers were busy encouraging other members yesterday to join the protest action. The president said their strategy would vary from day to day.

Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Muzi Mhlanga said teachers will also march with parents to Parliament today.

Reverend Zwanini Shabalala from the Constituent Assembly reaffirmed that parents would converge outside Parliament around 11am to deliver the petition at midday.

Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane, said: "We gave the media government’s position with regard to all civil servants’ strikes including the risks that come with it."

Director of Health Services Dr Simon Zwane said the Ministry of Health has done something to mitigate the shutdown.

"In such cases, the ministry has always endevoured to cushion the situation. However, the proposed march shows that there would be remarkable disruption, but we will do our best to minimise the severity of the situation," he said.