A dispute over the Public Order Act led to the cancellation of Workers’ Day celebrations in Hlatikhulu as TUCOSWA and the Regional Administrator remain at odds.
The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) found itself in a standoff with local authorities this past week, resulting in the cancellation of planned Workers’ Day celebrations in Hlatikhulu.. At the heart of the conflict is a fundamental disagreement over the interpretation of the Public Order Act 2017 regarding who holds jurisdiction over public gatherings.
Shiselweni Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Masuku maintained that his office lacked the legal standing to approve the event.. According to Masuku, the responsibility fell squarely on the shoulders of Chief Bhozongo of the KoNtshingila Chiefdom, as the proposed venue sits on Eswatini Nation Land rather than within municipal limits.
This highlights how administrative gray areas regarding land jurisdiction can often disrupt public demonstrations and labor activities when legal frameworks are interpreted differently by opposing parties.
TUCOSWA leadership presents a starkly different narrative, insisting they adhered to the letter of the law.. Secretary General Mduduzi Gina argued that the union approached the Hlatikulu Town Board and the RA because they viewed the regional office as the correct authority when a specific municipal council is not clearly defined for such events.
Communication logs between the two parties reveal that the union provided notice nearly ten days prior to the event.. However, the RA contends that the notice was misdirected from the start, claiming that a simple inquiry into the status of the local chieftaincy would have prevented the last-minute legal scrambling that eventually led to a court appearance on the day of the planned festivities.
The union remains firm in its belief that the spirit of the legislation did not intend for chiefs to serve as the primary processing agents for labor-related public notices.. As a result of the cancellation, TUCOSWA plans to convene its general council later this month to digest the fallout and determine how to proceed with future public engagements.
Whether this administrative hurdle reflects a genuine procedural misunderstanding or a broader tension between labor unions and regional authorities, it serves as a reminder that clarity in local governance is essential for the smooth exercise of public rights.