Swazi customs agents threaten pay strike

James Hall MBABANE – It was business almost as usual at border posts last week when customs agents abandoned work in a quest for higher salaries, and promised major disruptions if they weren’t satisfied. “My drivers haven’t reported any significant delays,” said a spokesperson for Speedy Overborder. But irate customs agents said they might yet shut down border operations completely, which would devastate the export-driven economy of the landlocked country. “We have just heard that government has given the army a pay rise, yet we have not had our salaries adjusted,” said Thandokuhle Ngcobo, an official with the Swaziland National Association of Civil Servants. Customs agents did not show up for work last Tuesday, but met in Mbabane for a march on the ministry of finance. Finance Minister Majozi Sithole did not meet with them, but sent his driver to collect their petition, infuriating the agents. Income Tax offices nationwide were also closed, with tax workers joining customs workers in their march to protest the finance ministry’s plans to privatise Swaziland’s revenue services.