Times Of Swaziland: MORE SUGAR CANE  FIELDS SET ABLAZE

MORE SUGAR CANE  FIELDS SET ABLAZE
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BY KHULEKANI NENE on 24/06/2014 04:36:00


TAMBANKULU – An undisclosed number of hectares of sugar cane were yesterday
set on fire at Tambankulu Estate as over 700 armed workers forced their way into
the administration building.
The people who set the cane fields on fire are not known for now as no arrests
were made by last night. Fire and Emergency Services officers rushed to the cane
fields in a bid to put out the flames.
The hectares destroyed by the fire could not be ascertained yesterday as there
was no response from management when called. The burning of the fields comes
after other fields were burnt last week at Big Bend and Tambankulu. The
employees are currently on strike demanding a salary increase.
The workers forced their way into the administration offices in an attempt to
confront their managers. In the build up, employees had gained entry into the
premises of the administration block by going through a locked gate.
They overpowered a group of police officers who were blocking their way. The
over 700 workers went through a locked gate and further went through a human
wall which had been created by police officers and warders.
This prompted the police to call for back-up in the form of officers from the
Operational Support Service Unit (OSSU). The back-up swiftly arrived and blocked
the workers from going closer to the administration offices.
There was near confrontation between the police and workers when the police used
their vehicles to push them out of the premises of the administration offices.
Some workers were seen arming themselves with stones while the police riot squad
took its position. Some officers, who were carrying stun grenades and tear gas,
were also seen taking their positions in readiness for firing.
Despite seeing the riot squad taking its position, the defiant workers kept on
pushing the police and seemed not intimidated. The situation got even more tense
when nearby sugar cane fields were set ablaze by unknown people.
A cloud of black smoke engulfed the whole arena as the sugar cane fields were
set ablaze.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel were called, and they promptly arrived and
immediately began putting out the fire.
Seeing that the situation was getting tense, Secretary General of the Swaziland
Agricultural Plantations and Allied Workers Union (SAPAWU) Archie Sayed ordered
the workers to disperse. “Comrades! Let us call it a day and we will return
tomorrow to continue with the demonstration,” he said as the workers shouted
Amandla ngawethu!
About half of the workers dispersed while others continued demonstrating but
this time they were marching towards the exit.
Meanwhile, there was no statement from Tambankulu Estate regarding the burnt
sugar cane fields.
Tambankulu Estate General Manager George White was called at 4:14pm and again at
4:49pm, but his phone rang unanswered.
A message was sent to his mobile phone at 5:50pm, but by the time of compiling
this report he had not responded to the message.
Close to 1 000 workers at Tambankulu Estate downed tools last Monday demanding
that salaries be increased by 10 per cent across the board, but management is
reportedly offering 10 per cent for low earners (Grade A), eight per cent for
middle earners (Grade B) and eight per cent for high earners (Grade C).