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SNAT REFUTES ALLEGATION THAT PRESIDENT MBONGWA DLAMINI IS STALLING PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS

SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini (picture sources from Mbongwa's social media account)

Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze

Following the allegations that were printed in one of the daily newspapers insinuating that the insistence of continued participation of SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini to attend Joint Negotiations Forum (JNF) while government doesn't want him to is causing a delay in the conduct of negotiations between the government of Eswatini and public service unions. The newspaper article while quoting some faceless public service workers commenting on the issue ,however could not feature an interview with the government confirming their refusal to take part in negotiations as long as President Mbongwa continued to regarding the issue of the President of the educators union ,the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) ,Mbongwa was stalling negotiations the leadership of SNAT convened a media briefing on Wednesday 14th March 2024 to clarify the issue. 

In clarifying the issue SNAT leaders that included the President Mbongwa Dlamini, the Deputy President Bonginkosi Msibi, Secretary General Lot Gadaffi Vilakati and Deputy Secretary General Mcolisi Ngcamphalala leaders took turns in clarifying the topic at hand. 

SNAT President himself indicated that he didn't want to say much but he was ready to carry on with his work,  "I am still well and still ready. The enemy has not won anything. In short in all these issues it is important to allow leadership to unpack the issues as they are. We reiterate to members that let us remain calm, resolute and united in whatever decision we take as SNAT". 

The DP Msibi indicated that the last time they engaged with the government in a bilateral meeting they had requested to be provide with the governments' position regarding President Mbongwa. The government ,according to the DP, at that time had promised to send the position in written form a few days after the meeting. The written position never came as promised. The DP also condemned the agenda behind the article in the newspaper because he argued it was aimed to put the leadership under the bus atosivukela emalunga (so members can rise against the leadership) because "sonkhe silambile (we are hungry) and need the money but not at the expense of emalunga (members)" he added.

The SG Lot Vilakati refuted the narrative that there was any form of delay in the negotiations because firstly the agenda for the 2024/25 financial year will only be set in April 2024. He further explained that outstanding matters in negotiation include outstanding allowances from the 2016 salary review  which the government have avoided implementing for all these years including in 2023/24 financial year.

The Secretary General further castigated SNAT members who he described as fighting from within. He further added that there were SNAT members had told all who cared to listed that President Mbongwa was going to be expelled from work if re elected to the position of President. He labelled such leaders as "sell outs".


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