Mbabane – The owner of Edwaleni Farm Lodge in Matsapha is at the centre of serious allegations of abuse after videos allegedly showing her assaulting and kicking an employee went viral on social media.
The businesswoman is thought to be Busisiwe Dlamini. She has not been willing to comment to Independent News questions fowarded to her via WhatsApp. Multiple calls to her mobile phone went unanswered, and by the time of compiling this report she had not responded to a questionnaire sent to her. The woman has been trending for most of the week after former employees allegedly came forward with disturbing accounts of what they described as harsh and abusive working conditions at the lodge.
Former workers alleged that employees were made to work extremely long hours, starting as early as 7am and knocking off at around 1am on a daily basis, without proper rest or compensation. They further claimed that salaries were often delayed and that verbal abuse was a regular occurrence.
The matter gained public attention after a customer raised concerns online, saying she was shocked to witness Mabuza hurling unpalatable words at an employee in full view of guests. The customer said the incident left her disappointed and uncomfortable, prompting her to speak out.
That complaint opened a floodgate of grievances from former employees, who detailed what they described as a toxic and intimidating work environment under Mabuza’s leadership.
Some former workers alleged that they were routinely insulted and demeaned, with claims that Mabuza would tell them they were ungrateful, useless and incapable of finding employment elsewhere. Others claimed that physical abuse, including slapping, occurred from time to time.
One former employee alleged that he was dismissed after drinking two cans of damaged fizzy drinks which were thrown away by Mabuza. He claimed he was ordered to pay E4 000 for the drinks and was forced to settle the amount in instalments. The employee further alleged that he complied after being threatened that Dlamini would unleash friends from the security sector to attack him.
Several former employees said they had endured the alleged abuse in silence for fear of losing their jobs or facing retaliation. Efforts to obtain comment from Dlamini were unsuccessful. Edwaleni Farm Lodge is located at Farm 650 along Dwaleni Road in Matsapha.
Discussion about this post