HOSEA: Five (5) Schools under Hosea Inkhundla were indefinitely closed on Wednesday as residents of the area engaged in a series of protests demanding the release of their Member of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza.
Speaking to this Swaziland News , Richard Vilane the Hosea Constituency Headman said he had to personally call school Principals to close schools as groups of rowdy protesters moved towards the learning institutions with the intention of attacking students and teachers.
“I had to act swiftly in order to save lives and the community property, I fully support the calls for democracy but we need to understand that these schools were built by the community and they belong to us, we need them even in a democratic Swaziland.I would like to urge the protesters to avoid destroying properties that they worked so hard to build”, he said.
Reached for comments, Siboniso Gumbi the Shiselweni Regional Education Officer (REO) confirmed the matter and appealed for calm.
“Yes, all schools under Hosea were closed after receiving threats from the protesters but as a Ministry of Education we would like Schools to operate without being disturbed. Education is a game changer, the children should be given a chance to continue with their education since this is a once in a lifetime opportunity”, said the REO.
Five schools at Hosea closed.