MBABANE: The police have denied abducting any Public Sector Union (PSU) members following a tense confrontation during a petition delivery at the Ministry of Public Service.
Acting Police Spokesperson and Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO), Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, dismissed allegations circulating on social media that law enforcement officers had forcibly taken union members.
“We did not abduct anyone, and we do not know the whereabouts of SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati or any other PSU member,” said Mnguni.
She added that information gathered by the police suggested that Vilakati left the ministry premises on his own. Mnguni further stated that officers had intended to engage with some union members but were ultimately unable to do so.
Meanwhile, Public Sector Unions have vowed to intensify their actions until all their members, including Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati and Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) Vice President Sipho Mhlanga, are accounted for and released.
The unions’ response follows a standoff with police, who blocked their attempt to deliver a petition and later dispersed them using teargas.
Addressing a press briefing, SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini described the incident as an “abduction” of union members by police, a claim strongly rejected by authorities.
Dlamini explained that unions had initially planned a march through Mbabane but altered their approach after the Municipal Council of Mbabane allegedly denied them permission.
“We resolved to abandon the march and instead deliver our petitions directly to various government offices in smaller groups,” he said.
However, he alleged that police blocked union members from accessing government premises from early morning, preventing even small groups from assembling.
“We were surprised and disappointed because our intention was peaceful petition delivery,” he said.
Dlamini further claimed that police escalated tensions by firing teargas without provocation and later accused union members of holding an illegal gathering.
“Out of the blue, police started firing teargas canisters at us, yet the number of people present was less than 20, which does not constitute a gathering under the law,” he said.
He also accused police of misinterpreting provisions of the Public Order Act and acting unjustifiably.
The SNAT president alleged that several union members were forcibly taken and later abandoned in remote areas such as Bhunya and Maphalaleni.
“Our members were essentially kidnapped and dumped in different locations. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Dlamini expressed concern over the alleged detention of senior union leaders, warning that unions would continue mobilising until all members are safely returned.
“We will not rest until all of them are released,” he said.
NAPSAWU President Bawinile Ndlovu echoed these concerns, questioning where unions are expected to channel grievances if peaceful efforts are met with force.
“We are now left wondering where we are supposed to deliver our grievances if we are assaulted whenever we attempt to do so,” she said.
Ndlovu warned that police would be held accountable if any of the missing or detained members return injured.
“If our leaders come back bruised or harmed, the police will have to answer. There was no justification for abducting them or confiscating their SIM cards,” she said.
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