SOMNTONGO Member of Parliament (MP) Sandile Nxumalo says staff members from the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) and Eswatini TV received threats after making submissions before the Select Committee.
This was shared by Nxumalo during the adoption of the report of the Select Committee on the investigation of operational concerns at EBIS and Eswatini TV on Wednesday.
Nxumalo stated that while conducting the investigations, they discovered victimisation and intimidation of staff in these entities. He said once staff raised concerns about what was not being done correctly, they were monitored and excluded from activities.
Nxumalo said the 52 people who appeared before the committee ended up receiving threats. He said the appearances started in Parliament and were moved to the archives and then to Happy Valley in a bid to protect the members who were appearing before the committee from victimisation.
He said these staff members were being followed, stating that this was a sign that they were working in an unhealthy environment. He said people were being monitored, adding that all the allegations that were levelled against the stations were true.
He added that they also discovered that there was ambiguity regarding essential services, stating that the stations were not being considered as essential services while their jobs placed them under essential services.
Nxumalo stated that the media was an essential service and was only not being taken seriously in Eswatini. He said the issue of foreign trips and professional training lacked proper selection and documentation, which raised concerns of favouritism.
The MP added that they also uncovered that reporters in the newsroom were the ones who were supposed to get the trips, which raised questions since broadcasters were employed using a journalism qualification.
Nxumalo said broadcasters were being sidelined for international trips even when they were promoted from the newsroom. He said those from the newsroom were complaining that there were specific reporters who covered assignments from certain countries.
“There are people who just cover trips to the United States of America and not cover trips in other countries. There is unfairness there and I believe MPs can relate to some of these things,” he said. The MP added that many issues were raised by staff when they appeared before the committee. He asked the ministry to review labour practices and institute an enquiry within three months to ascertain the issue of victimisation at the stations.
He said on the issue of international assignments, there should be a framework on how they are allocated within 21 days. He said the stations should be merged, with the minister being given six months to work on this.
“Please audit the skills that the people have,” he said.
Meanwhile, seconder Matsanjeni South MP Sibongile Mamba said there was a lot of public interest in the investigation as they met many of the workers. She said some workers said they were well taken care of while others said they were being abused.
Mamba said they also met the director of EBIS, who stated that the mover of the motion was enjoying the trips he was getting while working at the station.
She mentioned that the director said since the mover was now an MP, he was now complaining while he was the one who used to cover soccer tournaments internationally and used to get trips signed.
The motion was moved by Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi ‘Mdockies’ Hlophe, who used to work at EBIS.
‘Issue of international trips a problem everywhere’
MBABANE East MP Welcome Dlamini said the issue of international travel was a problem everywhere.
Dlamini said the investigation was caused by the issue of international travel, which he said was a problem even in the House.
The MP said the minister was being given seven days to develop criteria for international assignments and training, which was too tight. He stated that the two institutions have existing policies, which they would need to review and consult on.
He said they needed time to avoid doing something artificial.
Dlamini added that the allegations of workers asking for bribes had come up in the report but there were no recommendations on that. Why not develop a recommendation for this and then there is an issue of an independent enquiry, can’t the committee state how the person who has appeared before the committee is protected?, he asked.
Ministry of labour is not useless – MP
MHLUME MP Sifiso Magagula says the ministry of labour and social security is not useless.
The MP said this after Lobamba MP Michael Masilela said they needed a code of ethics for those holding public office. He noted that no one follows it, stating that there were labour issues which made one say there was a ministry of labour while it was very useless when it came to labour issues. He said people were complaining everyday in Matsapha while nothing was being done.
Magagula stated that the ministry was not useless. He said it was shocking that government parastatals were among entities that were victimising workers. The MP said they were left with questions about the example being set, stating that the ministry was already carrying a lot while trying to resolve labour issues.
He said workers were being abused and it was disturbing if government was also taking part in abusing workers.
“Workers work for 24 hours without any overtime. We are asking all government ministries, not just these ones, to stop victimising others. Those who hold positions should remember that they are at work.
“The issues need to be addressed. The ministry is not useless, it’s just that there are many problems out there,” he added.
