Africa-Press – Eswatini. It’s a pity that the issue of Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has been cited amid alleged persecution of former Justice Minister Sibusiso Shongwe who confirmed on Sunday that he fled to exile in South Africa.
Well, I had the privilege to ask some few questions from the newly appointed member of the Teaching Service Commission(TSC) and one of the questions was; is he being persecuted for dismissing SNAT President Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini?.
The answer was “Yes, I am receiving a backlash for that issue and I’m surprised because it’s a TSC decision”.
Well, in my line of duty as a journalist I’ve interacted and continue to interact with both the SNAT President Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini and the former Justice Minister who is now a member of the Teaching Service Commission(TSC).
I will be objective in my view, both Dlamini and Shongwe seem to be victims of what appear to be political persecution.
But, let me state categorically clear that immediately after the dismissal of the SNAT President, some powerful individuals in the corridors of power singled-out Sibusiso Shongwe as being behind the decision.
Shongwe is a former member of the Judicial Service Commission(JSC), a Commission that employs Judges and he is well-known for bullying and/or as a person who normally exercises power of dominance in all the bodies he had served.
Considering the fact that, we have two(2) individuals who are now facing persecution, perhaps it is important to state that, we must start by calling for the reinstatement of SNAT President Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini.In fact we deserve answers as the media, acting in the public interest, why Dlamini was dismissed in the first place?.
Sibusiso Shongwe might be a victim of political persecution but, he must also assist us with answers, why did the TSC expel Mbongwa?.
The TSC is not a normal human being but a “legal personna” represented by appointed members, we don’t want its members to hide behind the legal persona principle “it’s not me, it’s a TSC decision”, who is the TSC?.
Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini is not,in any way, a threat to national security in this country, he is fighting for the welfare of teachers and this, among others, include demanding better salaries.
As the editor, in as much as I will objectively be the voice and demand justice for persecuted and exiled Sibusiso Shongwe as the role of the media suggest, the former Justice Minister must also use his influence in the TSC and facilitate the reinstatement of the SNAT President.
As a country, we must ask ourselves what do we gain by persecuting unionists and political activists?, we must live together peacefully with our diverse political views and exercise tolerance.
It’s very unfortunate that Shongwe had to flee to exile, his political enemies might be sensing that, he might climb the political ladder further.
But he must not climb the ladder by destroying innocent union leaders like Mbongwa Dlamini.
The SNAT President must be reinstated, he did nothing wrong except to represent teachers and by representing teachers “he is representing us as parents” because anyone who persecutes a teacher, is indirectly undermining the quality of education for our children.
In conclusion, let me urge the TSC Chairman Amos Mahlalela to avail himself and respond, this publication is seeking answers, who dismissed SNAT President Mbongwa Ernest Dlamini?.
As mentioned above, the TSC is not a human being but an institution represented by the appointed members, we need the name/s of the individuals who influenced this decision so we can expose them.
This matter is of vital public interest, Sibusiso Shongwe must assist us as well.
Source: swazilandnews
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