BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has appointed a Task Team that will investigate matters raise by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA).
The Task Team was appointed today (Monday, August 12, 2024) at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Conference Room in Mbabane. The Task Team includes:
i. Mr. Makhosini Mndawe (PS in the MoLSS) – Chairperson
ii. Mr. Mthunzi Shabangu – Commissioner of Labour – Member;
iii. Ms. Qondile Zwane-Motsa – Legal Advisor (MoLSS) – Member;
iv. Mr. Mndeni Vilakati (Attorney General’s Office) – Member;
v. Ms. Smangele Motsa (REPS) – Member;
vi. Mrs. Nomvula Hlophe (DPP) – Member;
vii. Mr. Sandile Mdluli (DPP’s Office) – Alternate Member;
viii. Dr. Simon Zwane (PS at Min. of Housing – Member;
ix. Mrs. Fikile Shongwe-Dlamini (Legal Advisor at Min. of Housing – Alternate Member;
x. Mr. Sicelo Nxumalo (US at Natural Resources – Member;
xi. (k) Mr./Ms EDUCATION/TSC – Member;
xii. Mr. Sabelo Mavuso (Min. of Public Service – Member;
xiii. Ms. Thulebona Gama (MoLSS) – Secretariat;
xiv. Mrs. Dudu Ndzinisa (MoLSS) – Secretariat.
The Task Team is expected to start working immediately and it is expected to compile and submit a report to Cabinet by the end of August 2024. By September 1, 2024, the same report is expected to be submitted to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The Task Team will be investigating what was reported by TUCOSWA to the Internaltional Labour Conference (ILC) that took place in Geneva, Switzerland in June this year.
According to Minister Buthelezi, during the 112th session of the ILC which was held in June this year, the Government of Eswatini was amongst the list of twenty four (24) countries which were discussed by the Conference Committee on Application of Standards (CAS) wherein the Government was requested to provide information regarding the implementation of Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (1948), ratified by Eswatini on the 26th April, 1978.
Buthelezi said the Task Team had been empowered by Cabinet, amongst other things to do the following:
> to verify the allegations that were made during the discussion of the country in Geneva by summoning and examining witnesses on oath or demand disclosure of information, documentation, book, including conducting site inspections, in terms of Section 11 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act.
> to co-opt any relevant Government Ministry, Department or Institution, including inviting Officials from the International Labour Office (ILO), as may be necessitated by the need to validate and/or obtain clarities in the implementation of the ILO conclusions, comments or recommendations.
Consult with the social partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Buthelezi said Government was taken aback by the accusations made by the workers at the ILC because they were not labour related. He said most, if not all, of the accusations leveled against Government emanated from the 2021 political unrest. However, Buthelezi said even though they felt hard done by, Government was committed to working with honesty and integrity, hence the appointment of the Task Team.
The minister pleaded with all stakeholders who could be needed to help the task team to cooperate with it so that the truth in these matters could be found out.
