UNESWA MOVES TO LOCKOUT STRIKING ALAAP AND NAWUSHI MEMBERS FROM ITS PREMISES AS STRIKE CONTINUES TO BITE

 

Picture: UNESWA Emblem

UNESWA TAKES UNIONS TO COURT SEEKING TO LOCK STRIKING WORKERS OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY GATES AS STRIKE CONTINUES

The under siege University of Eswatini (UNESWA) whose workers are on a pay strike action since the 8th March 2023 has made an urgent court application for the court to rule that striking Association of Lecturers Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) and National Workers Union in Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI) members be condemned to at least fifty (50) metres away from any UNESWA premises.

In his affidavit submitted to the Industrial Court, the UNESWA Registrar Dr Salebona S. Simelane submitted an affidavit where he summitted to the court that members of ALAAP and NAWUSHI  are acting in a disorderly fashion calculated to disrupt by physical force the operations of UNESWA. 

In substantiating his submission Dr Simelane accused ALAAP and NAWUSHI striking members of acts such as blocking the main entrance of the University. To strengthen his case he attached supporting affidavits from two senior officials of the university, in the form of the Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Gadaga and Senior Legal officer Ms Gcinaphi Mndzebele, who both claimed to have witnessed the blocking of the University main gate by striking workers. 

He further submitted that the striking ALAAP and NAWUSHI workers of intimidating workers who had chosen to betray workers and continue working despite the strike being legal. 

Thirdly the he submitted that the striking ALAAP and NAWUSHI members of entering the university main administration office block ,littering the office the 21st March 2023 ,trashing the place by emptying office drawers and littering the office block with tree branches and shrubs they had uprooted around the University grounds.  

The University is praying that the court interdicts all striking workers not to come within fifty (50) metres of all its entrances as they continue with their strike action. The two unions ALAAP and NAWUSHI are expected to oppose the prayer of UNESWA to condemn their striking members 50 metres and above outside the UNESWA premises

The matter is currently sitting at the Industrial Court in Mbabane having commenced at 1400hrs on Friday 24th March 2023.. 

Further developments on the story will be shared as they become available.