Times Of Swaziland: ‘CISHA LOGESI’ AS POWER  OUTAGES RAPIDLY INCREASE

‘CISHA LOGESI’ AS POWER  OUTAGES RAPIDLY INCREASE
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BY SIBUSISO ZWANE on 02/03/2019 16:45:00


MANZINI – Have the striking Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) workers
literally pulled the power plug? This is one of the questions which a number of
EEC customers are asking themselves as the number of areas facing power outages
are increasing despite the fact that the weather was not bad to cause such.
The EEC workers strike started on Thursday and it was reliably gathered that
following the industrial action, some areas around Mbabane experienced constant
power cuts.
Well-placed sources within the organisation, who, however, preferred to speak to
this publication on condition of anonymity, revealed that yesterday, which was
the second day of the workers’ strike action, the number of areas which
experienced power outages increased rapidly.
Blackout
They said in some areas, the power was on and off while in others, there was a
total electricity blackout. According to the insiders, the problem started in
the capital city in areas including Thembelihle, Sandla and Eveni among others.
However, they said during the day yesterday, the challenge spread across the
country as the company’s toll free line was flooded with calls reporting power
outages.
“This is despite the fact that the weather is not that bad to cause so many
power cuts across the country,” they said.
The sources maintained that even though it was raining in most parts of the
country, there were no strong winds, lightning or thunder, which often resulted
in many power cuts.
Cuts
In fact, the insiders were clear that the causes of the power cuts were still
unknown. They said the organisation was left with unanswered questions regarding
the power outages.
It is worth noting that the insiders mentioned that it was somehow a coincidence
that such unplanned power cuts were taking place when some workers were on
strike.
Meanwhile, some of the striking workers said they were aware that there were
power cuts across the country and, according to their analysis; it was caused by
the conventional rains. They argued that whenever there were rains,
probabilities of having power cuts would be high and if not monitored, it would
increase.
“In fact, in the morning (yesterday), we checked the system and learnt that
already there were over 2 000 cases of power cuts across the country,” said
some of the striking workers.
Attempts
They claimed that the situation could get worse as the staff members who were
reporting for duty could not deal with it on time, judging from their numbers.
In fact, they alleged that their numbers were too small to make successful
attempts in reconnecting the so many cases across the country.
The striking EEC workers are organised under the banner of Swaziland Electricity
Supply Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (SESMAWU). Their main grievance,
which resulted to the industrial action, is the non implementation of Circular
No.3, which was allegedly approved by government and the consultant.
Enjoying
They said the implementation of the circular was going to address issues of
their salary alignment and bonuses, among other things. In fact, the workers
alleged that management was allegedly enjoying the benefits of the circular,
something which was supposed to happen to all the company structures.
SESMAWU national executive committee (NEC) members asked not to comment about
the matter. They claimed that they were only implementing what was resolved by
the general membership. They also alleged that later yesterday, the workers
allegedly asked to have their own meeting without the NEC and they took
resolutions which the union leaders were not aware of.
It is worth noting that the EEC strike is going on despite an interim court
order stopping it.
Urgent
The order was issued by the Industrial Court of Eswatini after EEC filed an
urgent application seeking an order to interdict the workers from congregating
at the company’s head office.