MBABANE:Nanikie Mnisi, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training has written a letter to the founder of the Eswatini Medical Christian University(EMCU) vigorously warning against the re-employment of former Registrar of the University of Eswatini(UNESWA) Samuel S. Vilakati as the Executive Director of the State owned institution of higher learning.
The letter seen by this Swaziland News and stopping the re-employment of Vilakati, comes despite confirmation from Education Minister Owen Nxumalo in a leaked audio, the Education and Training Minister claimed Indlovukazi Queen Ntombi Tfwala issued an order, directing the EMCU Governing Board to employ Vilakati and another elderly-Thembi Zwane.
But the Principal Secretary told the Christian University that, “Samuel S. Vilakati is too old to be re-employed and therefore, at eighty(80) years”, cannot add any professional value to the institution of higher learning.
“The former officers have now reached the age of 80years. They were recruited when they have retired from their previous employer after reaching age of 65 years. The two officers have already passed the retirement age of Judges in Eswatini which is 75 years and they no longer add any professional value at EMCU. Government should not be seen to go against Sibaya submission which have been incorporated to the Government Master Plan and as thus Ministries should advocate for youth employment,” said the Education Principal Secretary through the letter leaked to this independent online publication.
Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli declined to comment about the matter.
On another note, Education and Training Minister Owen Nxumalo told the Christian University Governing Board that, “Indlovukazi wants the 80 year-old S.S Vilakati back to work as the Executive Director of the institution of higher learning”.
Education PS Nanikie Mnisi(pic:Gov).