Times Of Swaziland: MBONGWA VICTIMISED  - SIBONGILE MAZIBUKO

MBONGWA VICTIMISED  - SIBONGILE MAZIBUKO
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Thokozani Mazibuko on 15/10/2022 07:29:00


MBABANE - Ngwane National Liberatory Movement (NNLC) President Sibongile
Mazibuko has said that Mbongwa Dlamini is clearly being victimised by the
Ministry of Education.
Mazibuko, who is also the former Swaziland National Association of Teachers
(SNAT)’s President, said government has a recognition agreement with the
organisation, which facilitates a harmonious working relationship between the
ministry and the current national executive members.
“Part of the recognition agreement that SNAT has with government stipulates
that when a member is elected into the National Office Bearers (NOBs), the
supervisor, who most of the time is the head teacher, will sit down with the
member and the rest of the staff, to work out a timetable that will make it
possible for him or her to fulfil the teaching duties and also actively
participate in union meetings and activities,” Mazibuko explained.
The former SNAT president further pointed out that at the time she was at the
helm as the organisation’s president, she was supported by the head teacher
and the teachers at the school who covered up or even took over her duties while
she attended to meetings and conferences in and outside of the country. “I was
never charged for absenteeism during my tenure as the organisation’s president
because government back then respected the recognition agreement and allowed me
and the other NOBs an opportunity to work out such matters with our supervisors
at the schools.
Dlamini was served by the ministry of education and training’s (MoET) Under
Secretary, Lungelo Nhlengetfwa and is said to be facing over 109 possible
charges of absenteeism.
Urged
Mazibuko urged teachers to pull their full weight, support and stand with their
current president as he was being victimised. “It is wrong to charge Dlamini
of absenteeism by the ministry of education and training and this must be
condemned,” Mazibuko pointed out.  SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati in
our publication last week confirmed on behalf of the national executive
committee (NEC) that their president did receive a letter from the schools
manager yesterday. He said the letter suggests that their leader was facing
possible charges of absenteeism.  However, he asked not to dwell much on the
letter because they were yet to consult with their legal team.
Nonetheless, the SG said as a union, they were aware of where this issue was
coming from and where it was headed  to. He said they believed there was an
onslaught on their leader and, by extension, the teachers’ association.
Misconduct
Vilakati said this was because it was not the first time their leader received a
letter from the office of the schools manager, asking him to show cause why he
should not be charged for alleged misconduct. He said one of the recent cases
took place during the month of August 2022, where he was served with a letter by
the office of the schools manager on claims that he had allegedly put government
into disrepute and further promoted hatred or contempt towards it. He also added
that the president was also summoned by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of
Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, regarding the issue of ‘commander’ whom
he quoted when he was mandated by the union to advice teachers not to go to work
as their safety was not guaranteed.