TEACHERS DEFY GOVT, CALL STRIKE

Teachers in Swaziland defied a government ban on their meeting and called a two-day strike.

More than 300 members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) met in Manzini where they decided to strike on 9 and 10 May 2012, to demand a 4.5 per cent salary increase.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Pat Muir, speaking for the minister, said SNAT had failed to follow the procedures to convene a mass meeting and the meeting was therefore illegal.

Muzi Mhlanga, Secretary General of SNAT, told participants, ‘We have heard that some people claim this meeting is illegal, but it must be understood that SNAT does not ask for permission from government to call its members to a mass meeting.’

He said the statements that were issued saying the meeting was illegal could have been made to discourage their membership.

‘Their tactics did not work, as evidenced by the huge turnout of our membership. This was a very successful meeting,’ said Mhlanga.

Teachers were also banned by an Industrial Court order from marching on 12 April.