Africa-Press – Eswatini. It was a drama filled day for SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini who denied all three charges preferred by government, and went on to walk out of his ‘date’ with the National Commissioner of Police (NatCom) William Dlamini.
On both instances, Mbongwa was expected to answer on allegations as to why he incited teachers not to attend class on Monday and Tuesday which culminated in the turning back of pupils and closure of schools across the kingdom on both days.
Mbongwa, in his capacity as leader of the largest organisation which represents teachers, had earlier advised teachers to show up at their respective workstations at their own instance following threats of insecurity by a faceless group which instructed everyone in the country not to attend work or class.
On the strength of what he termed ‘serious threats,’ Mbongwa had advised teachers to practice the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2001 (No.9 of 2001) Section 18(2), which states that an employee reserves the right to remove himself or herself from danger, when such an employee ha reasonable justification to believe there was imminent and serious risk to the safety and health of that employee.
Section 18(3) of the Act stipulates that where the supervisor or employer of not present at the time of removal, the employee could immediately after such removal, as is reasonably practicable; inform the supervisor or employer of the fear giving rise to such removal.
However, this did not sit well with the ministry of education and training, which called upon the SNAT president to explain why he should not be charged for misconduct and encouraging hatred towards the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
In a detailed letter of response submitted in the company of over 500 teachers where there was heavy police presence at the ministry’s headquarters, Mbongwa told Under Secretary Schools Manager Lungelo Nhlengetfwa that he denies all the charges.
Mbongwa had been served with a letter of misconduct signed by Nhlengetfwa in terms of Regulation 15 (2) of the Teaching Service Commission Regulations of 1983, which pointed out that he gave statements advising teachers against reporting to work therefore contravening Section 15 (1)(g) of the TSC regulations.
The charge sheet quoted several platforms where Mbongwa made the announcements, warning teachers against going to school.
“On or about August 5, 2022 you ran an audio and video announcement over the SNAT and Swaziland News Platform on Facebook, on August 8, 2022. You alluded to this in a call with the national police commissioner on August 8, and also in an interview article by Bongiwe Dlamini of Swaziland News with the Swaziland Solidarity Forces order on August 7,” read the charge sheet in part.
Nhlengetfwa also charged Mbongwa for not retracting his statement when government officials encouraged employees to report to work and further assured of their safety.
The schools manager claimed that Mbongwa used his position as SNAT president to encourage hatred or contempt towards the government therefore contravening Section 15 (1) (i) of the TSC Regulations of 1983. Mbongwa disputed that the schools manager has authority in terms of Regulation 15(2), to charge him as SNAT president and further said the charges referred to were not applicable.
He said the capacity and authority of the schools manager in this regard was unknown. Therefore, he had no authority to write the misconduct letter.
Mbongwa stated that his response was purely for the purpose of caution in light of the fact that it was written on the letter heads and stationery of the ministry of education and training.
He denied that as president, he alluded to NatCom and that he was ever interviewed by the same on August 8, and that such conversation and or any announcement made contravened the provision of Section 15 (1)(a) of TSC regulations.
Mbongwa further denied that as president, he contravened Section 15 (1) (g) of the regulations.
The SNAT president also denied that he was ever contemptuous or had violated any law in the country. Soon after delivering the ministry of education’s letter, Mbongwa was accompanied by the chanting battalion of teachers to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) headquarters, located a stone’s throw from the ministry’s offices. Here, Mbongwa walked out of the meeting which was supposed to be with NatCom.
The SNAT president, who also brought along his attorney and members of the SNAT executive, opted to abandon the meeting after an ultimatum was issued either to attend the meeting alone or walk out. The meeting had been scheduled to take place at 1100 hours and the agenda was kept under wraps. NatCom politely declined to comment.
He clarified that the meeting was a police operation before referring any further questions to Mbongwa.
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