SATAWU STANDS WITH SWATCAWU

For Immediate Release

16^th November 2022

SATAWU STANDS WITH SWATCAWU

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) pledges its support and solidarity during these difficult times to its sister union-the Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers (SWATCAWU), which is also an affiliate to the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland Union and the International Transport Workers Federation.  It is very saddening and unfortunate that Transport Workers are being physically harassed, beaten, kidnapped, and humiliated by soldiers in the country.

The Swaziland Transport and Allied Workers Union is fighting for better working conditions, against human rights abuse and the release of prisoners who are also Members of Parliament Mr Bacede Mabuza and Mr Mthandeni Dube. It is also very disturbing and worrying that three taxi drivers were shot and seriously injured at Manzini Bus Rank by the solders last week on Friday.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has also been made aware that the SWATCAWU’s Deputy Chairperson in Manzini Cde Mbhekeni Dlamini has been released after he was kidnapped and was found terribly tortured yesterday the 15^th of November by the state security agency.

What the state is practicing to its citizens is anti-human, it is a human rights violation. The members and workers of the Swaziland Transport Communications and Allied Workers Union are doing / did nothing wrong and unusual for taking it to the streets for their demands, it is in fact a democracy to do so. We are calling on Government to STOP torturing people and stop abusing the power that it was given by the power. We are also calling on political parties and relevant stake holders to intervene.

To our sister union, the struggle shall continue, Swaziland and the workers, the working class, and the poor in particular can change the country. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union leaders are in communication with the leadership of SWATCAWU.

Amandla!!

Issued By SATAWU