For Immediate Release
20th April 2023
SATAWU ON SWATCAWU’s GENERAL SECRETARY ATTACK AND HARASSMENT
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) condemns the attack and harassment directed to the General Secretary of the Swaziland Transport, Communications and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) Comrade Sticks Nkambule by king Mswati and his Soldiers.
King Mswati and his Police have been torturing, kidnapping and wrongfully arresting SWATCAWU leaders for years now, and some of our comrades have lost their lives. The leaders of our sister union and the people of eSwatini are living in fear because of one man.
We are also aware of the fact that King Mswati and his police have issued a warrant of arrest against the General Secretary of SWATCAWU, Cde Sticks. It is very disturbing that Cde Sticks is also published as a wanted person by the Police in eSwatini.
The leadership of SWATCAWU is fighting for better working conditions, fighting against human rights abuse, exploitation and release of prisoners who are Members of eSwatini Parliament and known to be supporting SWATCAWU, unfortunately king Mswati is the enemy of freedom of speech. Recently the General Secretary of SWATCAWU led a historic national shutdown and is now in exile and living in fear, his family is also being harassed by the members of the Police.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union once more calls on Government to stop harassing SWATCAWU leaders and members in general. Protesting and fighting for better working conditions is part of Democracy. We also calling on civil organisations and Political parties to intervene before police kill more of our comrades.
We wish Cde Stick’s family strength during this difficult time as he is exile. We cannot imagine what they are going through, we are with them. To the General Secretary of SWATCAWU, we are with you. The struggle shall continue. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union can also confirm that it is communicating with SWATCAWU leaders and there shall be a solution soon.
Issued by SATAWU