UNIONS VOW TO STAND BY SNAT’S MUZI MHLANGA

MATSAPHA – Following the continuous T-shirts saga, workers’ unions have claimed that SNAT Secretary General Muzi Mhlanga was being used as a scapegoat in the organisation.

SNAT stands for the Swaziland National Association of Teachers.
Bheki Mamba, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), said they were concerned about articles appearing in local newspapers of people attacking Mhlanga.

Tfwala was speaking during the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) mid-Term conference held at Sibayeni Lodge.
“We are saying we are going to defend our colleague Muzi Mhlanga, the SNAT Secretary General,” Mamba said to a loud cheer from the approximately 215 delegates.

Movement

He told the participants that Mhlanga played a major role in the establishment of the workers’ movement in the country.
He stressed that the movement was where it was because of Mhlanga. “We, who are close, know this for a fact and we are going to defend him,” he said. Mamba recounted that when the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) was established at the George Hotel in Manzini, SNAT was used for bookings.

When booking the Salesian Sports Ground for Workers’ Day, Mamba said SNAT was used.
“Why is it now Mhlanga’s baby when coming to the T-shirts?” he wondered.

Mamba urged unionists to always defend their colleagues because they were all pushing for a common goal. Earlier, Mphandlana Shongwe, Second Deputy Secretary General of the proscribed entity, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), had said a union that was unstable could not produce the desired fruit.

As the workers’ movement in the country, Shongwe stressed that they needed stable unions. “What we are witnessing these days with some of the unions in the country is very disturbing. What we see happening at SNAT is very disturbing. We must talk about this and we must not be afraid of pointing fingers at people who are sabotaging the movement.

“Why is NAPSAWU quiet when SNAT is burning? Why is TUCOSWA quiet when SNAT is burning” wondered Shongwe
Bringing the house down with laughter, Shongwe said: “I know some people argue that akusi doko leligayelwe mine lelo (it is none of my business).” Shongwe warned unionists that they would, in the near future, face a similar challenge.

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