MBABANE:Khaya Gina,a member of the Swaziland Democratic Party(SWADEPA) was fired as Elections Commission registration Clerk merely for being a political activist,the Times of eSwatini reported on Friday.
Eswatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarchy,political parties are banned from participating in elections while political activists are discriminated and sidelined for certain jobs.
Gina told the Times that after attending the Workers Day he received a call from Elections and Boundaries Commission(EBC)Lubombo Officer Siboniso Nhleko who informed him that he had been seen wearing a baret, T-shirt and carrying a SWADEPA flag and reminded him what they were told about associating themselves with political entities.
The political activist was subsequently dismissed without any hearing as per eSwatini labour laws.
“He told me that I was seen in a picture wearing a baret and T-shirt of SWADEPA and also carrying a flag of the political entities. He asked me what the provisions of EBC entailed when being seen associating with people like these. I then told him that it is true that I was seen wearing the party’s regalia, as I was at Mayaluka to commemorate Workers Day. So, I got the T-shirt at the stadium and they lent me the baret,” Gina told the Times.
When reached for a comment, EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe told the Times that there was nothing official that had been communicated to him by the officials handling the matter.
“I have tried to get hold of Nhleko but he is not answering my calls, hence I could not gather any information regarding the matter. I was unable to get hold of the officials from the HR office,” said the communications officer. Meanwhile, On another note, SWADEPA Finance Committee Member and Media Liaison Officer Sanele Sihlongonyane said their member informed the organisation about the matter.
Khaya Gina(right) was dismissed as Elections Commission Registration Clerk.