By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Lecturers are highly educated and the nature of their job suggests that, they produce skilled human resources for the various industries critical in the economic development of this country.

It is therefore, very unfortunate to note that,this oppressive Government has reduced the standard of living for highly educated professionals who worked so hard to achieve their goals hoping for a better.

But as a country, we have been misled by this oppressive Government with no regard for education that,the crisis within the State owned institution of higher learning, was triggered by rampant corruption when in fact, the systematic financial suffocation of the institution is part of a broader political agenda by the regime to destroy the University and undermine education.

Indeed,this week we were capacitated with accurate information through what appears to be a rare convergence of narratives between the Administration of the University and the Lecturers,with regards to the crisis within the institution of higher learning.

Dr. Mduduzi Shongwe, the Secretary General of the Association of Lecturers,Academic and Administrative Personnel(ALAAP) was interviewed by this Swaziland News and, he blamed Government for delaying to release a subvertion for the University, resulting to the consistent delays in the payment of salaries.

Dr. Shongwe said Government is now paying the subversion monthly not quarterly, one wonders how will the University pay salaries on time if the subvertion is sometimes delayed.

Richard Masuku,the Acting Registrar was then interviewed by journalist Nonhlanhla Gama of the State owned radio,the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services(EBIS) on Wednesday morning, Masuku blamed Government for delaying to release the subversion including scholarships for students funded by the State.

After all the State propaganda suggesting that, the University “is being destroy by corruption within the Administration of the institution”,only a proof of payment or documentation substantiating that, Government has been paying the subvertion on time can counter this new narrative.

I am not suggesting that, there’s no corruption within the University but, there’s absolutely no way, the level of such corruption could lead to a financial crisis of such magnitude without attracting the attention of the law enforcement agencies including the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC).

The ongoing investigation into the affairs of the institution led by Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director Muzi Siyaya, the Chairman of the UNESWA Crisis Task Team must be fully supported but, even before the Task Team compile or produce a report, we have a reason to blame Government in the absence of a proof of payment.

Well, I watched Owen Nxumalo, the Minister of Education speaking a lot of nonsense during a press conference on Wednesday, he was trying to counter the sentiments of the Acting Registrar who blamed Government for the collapse of the University.

But Acting Registrar Richard Masuku was so honest on national radio, as the Acting Controlling Officer of the institution, we have a reason to believe him particularly because, Government has a similar record of delaying to pay school fees for Orphans and Vulnerable Children(OVCs) and then blame Headteachers for the financial challenges in schools.

Owen Nxumalo might lie with a convincing face but, some of us are not ready to take his nonsense, what is needed here is money to fund the University of Eswatini not consistent or endless explanations.

As for Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Tfwala, let me say “shame on him” for trying to assist Education Minister Owen Nxumalo in misleading the Nation, Tfwala is failing to understand that, politicians like Owen Nxumalo cannot be trusted and the very same Owen might soon make him a scapegoat.

Justice Tfwala might be related to Indlovukazi Queen Ntombi Tfwala but, he must remember that, this is Tinkhundla system that survives through, among others, the identification of scapegoats in the midst of a crisis.