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NAPSAWU reaffirms

07/03/2013 00:00:00 TIMOTHY SIMELANE

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MATSAPHA - The National Association of Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) has reaffirmed its stance of not participating in this year’s national elections.

During the Union’s Congress at Esibayeni Lodge, outgoing Secretary General, Vincent Dlamini, said by virtue of being member of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), NAPSAWU was bound by the federation’s resolution to boycott the elections.

Meanwhile, representatives from other unions, who were invited to address the congress, also confirmed the resolution.

President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union, Bheki Mamba, said his union would also not take part in the elections.

He said the union would only participate in elections under a multiparty democracy.

Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) member, Mpumi Dlamini, also said students would not participate in the elections because they were not pleased with policies taken by the government under the Tinkhundla dispensation.

Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) Coordinator, Wandile Dludlu, also said the front was against the elections.

Government Spokesperson, Percy Simelane, in an interview said voting is not compulsory but an individual’s democratic right.

"Swazis were united in endorsing the Tinkhundla system of governance." he said.

SNAT still part of TUCOSWA

MATSAPHA - Secretary General of SNAT, Muzi Mhlanga, has assured civil servants that teachers have not pulled out of TUCOSWA.

Mhlanga said only SNAT members had the prerogative to decide if they wanted to stay or leave TUCOSWA, the workers federation, whose registration was annulled by the court.

"No individual can say SNAT is withdrawing from TUCOSWA, unless that is a personal opinion," Mhlanga said during the NAPSAWU Congress at Esibayeni Lodge yesterday.

He also clarified that TUCOSWA only took E3 of each members’ contribution, and that no one paid more subscription than the other, as some were made to believe.