Times Of Swaziland: UNESWA STAFF HITS BACK AT MINISTER

UNESWA STAFF HITS BACK AT MINISTER
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Phiwase Phungwayo on 22/11/2024 08:03:00


KWALUSENI – “What support?”
University of Eswatini (UNESWA) staff under the Association of Lecturers,
Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) and National Workers Union in
Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI) has expressed frustration over claims
that the institution is receiving adequate government support, standing by the
statement made by the university’s Acting Registrar, Richard Masuku, who
revealed that the university had not paid November salaries or utility bills due
on Tuesday. Speaking on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS 1)
current affairs on Wednesday morning, Masuku explained that the university’s
coffers are empty due to delayed government disbursements. These funds include
tuition fees for government-sponsored students, as well as the government’s
monthly subvention.In response, Education and Training Minister Owen Nxumalo,
convened an urgent press conference later that day, where he denied Masuku’s
claims. Nxumalo stated that government had disbursed some funds by Tuesday,
November 19, with more paid the following day. However, he did not reveal the
amounts, stating that such details are not for public consumption.
disputed
This assertion was strongly disputed by UNESWA employees, who, backed by their
unions—the ALAAP and NAWUSHI—supported Masuku’s statement. In a press
conference held the following afternoon, ALAAP President Sibusiso Nhlabatsi
reiterated the unon’s stance, aligning with the Acting Registrar’s comments
made on EBIS 1. He claimed that, had Masuku not spoken out, the university staff
would not have received their salaries. “ALAAP stands with the acting
registrar in calling on government to provide full support to the university by
paying subventions quarterly, or at the very least, on a monthly basis—before
or by the 17th of each month—so that staff salaries can be paid by the 19th,
as stipulated in their contracts,” Nhlabatsi said.
He added that Masuku’s remarks on EBIS 1 reflected what union representatives
had consistently been told by university management at Joint Negotiation
Committee (JNC) meetings and in other forums.While ALAAP expressed respect for
the offices of the minister for Education and Training and the vice chancellor
(VC), Nhlabatsi clarified that what the VC had described publicly about delays
in tuition payments due to invoicing issues did not align with what he told
unions in private meetings. “ALAAP would like the public to know that the VC
often laments to the unions about government’s failure to pay the subvention
on time. He always says they initiate the process at the start of each month,
but it drags on until payday,” Nhlabatsi stated.
He went on to say it is concerning to see the CEO of the university shift the
blame to his own administration, which he leads. He said that speaks volumes
about him as a leader.
The president informed the public that since 2018, when the employer (the
Council) denied the hardworking members of the two unions their due Cost of
Living Adjustment (CoLA) and salary movements, the justification given had
always been the lack of funds due to insufficient government subventions. He
explained that management had consistently stated that, with each budget cycle
in recent years, government had been providing the university with between 34
per cent and 45 per cent of the amount requested in its budget.
budget
While the university is said to require between E800 million and E900 million
annually to operate, Nhlabatsi said recent budget allocations revealed that it
had been receiving only between E430 million and E460 million – less than half
of what is needed. “Clearly, government is underfunding the university.
Therefore, any claim that the university is receiving full or adequate support
from government is inaccurate,” he said. The minister for Education and
Training could not be reached on his mobile for comment at the time of compiling
this report. Several pressing questions regarding the ongoing funding issues at
the University of Eswatini have been raised.
These include enquiries about the repeated delays in government disbursements,
which have had a significant impact on staff salaries and essential services
like medical insurance. Specifically, the minister was asked to clarify why
government has been unable to meet the university’s funding needs, given that
it has reportedly received less than half of the amount required for its
operations. Furthermore, concerns were raised about government’s plans to
address the continued underfunding of the institution, particularly in light of
the growing challenges faced by university staff, including delayed payments and
a lack of basic resources.