Transport operators are of the view that neither they nor their passengers are safe in light of the threats. In flagrant violation of the Court Order, the four respondents commenced their strike action
Mbabane-Who would have thought that a faceless individual using a voice note on a social media platform could have the power to bring a whole sovereign state to a halt. This is what the nation of Eswatini is witnessing since November and December 2022 as public transport operators who ferry the bulk of the country’s work force to their places of employment parked their vehicles.
Transport operators are of the view that neither they nor their passengers are safe in light of the threats made by the so called “Commander” of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces who are an underground movement formed to oppose the government of Eswatini and the Monarch.
The threats to render the country ungovernable by ensuring that no economic activity is undertaken are in support of the incarcerated Members of Parliament (MP) Ngwempisi’s Mthandeni Dube and Hosea’s Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza. The two are facing charges relating to the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 alongside Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi “Gawuzela” Simelane who is considered to be a fugitive from justice having disappeared following the violent protests that engulfed the country in June 2021. The three parliamentarians are alleged to have incited the protests actions that started at their respective constituencies which subsequently spread across the country. The MP’s have been in custody since July 2021.
On the 15th and 16th November 2022, the two MP’s appeared before the Justice Mumsy Dlamini at the High Court where they made a bail application. The two days were marred by a mass stayaway as part of a protest action initiated by the Pro-Democracy forces that include members of the Multi Stake holder Forces, a conglomeration of unionist and civil action formations. Also forming part of this vanguard are members of the underground movement who have come to be known as the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces.
The Swaziland International Solidarity Forces are a militant group who have taken responsibility for a spate of violent attacks on property belonging to those that they perceive to be supporters of the government and who are Pro-Monarchists. The most recent victim of these attacks was the Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala who’s homestead was torched and five of his cattle shot.
During the hearing of the bail application in November by the two MP’s, Justice Mumsy Dlamini concluded by postponing the verdict to the 13th and 14th December 2022. This prompted the Pro-Democracy forces to declare that on these two days there would again be no public transport and the country’s workforce would be expected to remain home.
True to their word, following impromptu meetings held by the Swaziland Transport Communications and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), the Eswatini Kombi’s and Bus Allied Workers Union (EKABAWU) and the Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association (SCARTA) decisions were reached that buses and mini buses would not operate at all.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi filed an urgent application to stop the transport operators from going ahead with their strike but this was in vain. The Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister and Chairperson of Cabinet also filed a statement of criminal complaint in which he stated that “on the 9th December 2022, Cabinet resolved to apply to the Industrial Court for an order interdicting and restraining Sticks Nkambule, SWATCAWU, EKABAWU and SCARTA, from embarking on their intended strike action on 13 and 14 December 2022. Acting within the principal of collective responsibility, the Minister for Labour and Social Security was tasked with swearing the founding affidavit on behalf of government.”
In his statement, Masuku continues to say “government was granted an Interim Order on the 9th December 2022 which was subsequently confirmed as final on 12th December 2022. The final order was duly served upon the four respondents on 12th December 2022. In flagrant violation of the Court Order, the four respondents commenced their strike action on 13th December 2022 by withdrawing public transport services from the roads or by deliberately not providing transport services to the public. On behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I thereby lay a criminal charge of contempt of court against Mr Sticks Nkambule, SWATCAWU, EKABAWU, and SCARTA.”
Meanwhile during the course of the weekend building up to the December strike action, a voice report circulated on the social media platforms allegedly by the “Commander” of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces. He mentioned that the incident that occurred at the Chief Justices homestead was not a mistake. He then directed his monologue to the Judges of the country’s judicial system saying “should Justice Mumsy not grant the two incarcerate MP’s bail on the 15th December 2022 then each of the country’s judges will be violently targeted.” The Commander went on the threaten the security of the Head of Sate at the forthcoming Incwala ceremony.
On the 15th December 2022, Justice Mumsy Dlamini in what would appear to be defiance to the threat issued by the nameless and faceless “Commander” refused to grant the two MP’s bail. This state of events has set up Eswatini for an uncertain festive season this year.
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