By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Amos Mahlalela,the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission(TSC) is allegedly obstructing Education Minister Owen Nxumalo’s efforts to reinstate Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) in complete defiance of a court order.

The Education and Training Minister publicly declared that, he is working towards reinstating the SNAT President but this Swaziland News subsequently gathered that, his efforts were undermined by the TSC Chairman.

“I will work on this matter”, said the Education Minister when addressing SNAT Executive members who petitioned him recently.

But sources within the TSC members told this publication that, the Commission has been divided as others want the SNAT President reinstated.

TSC Chairman Amos Mahlalela failed to respond and clarify the matter when reached by this publication however, there are allegations suggesting that, the case was “used as a cash-cow with some lawyers within the Office of the Attorney General(AG) using it to cash from the State”.

But senior lawyer Zweli Jele of Robinson Bertram clarified that, the reputable lawfirm was engaged only once by the Office of the Attorney General to assist in the SNAT President case.

“Anyone who might allege that, we are part of the delay with intention to cash money from the State is misinformed. We were engaged only once to assist and we were not involved in the other cases involving the SNAT President,” said the senior lawyer when speaking to Swaziland News editor who was seeking clarity as to why the SNAT President was not allowed back to class despite winning court cases.

SNAT President Mbongwa won court cases against Government but, the TSC defied the court orders.

Reached for comments by this publication on Thursday, Mduduzi Gina, the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland(TUCOSWA) said, it would be the first of its kind if a political head could be defied by junior public officials.

“As TUCOSWA we don’t want to believe that the Education Minister is being defied by the TSC Chairman. As the political head of the Ministry he must ensure that his directives are implemented and reinstate the SNAT President. The courts ruled that he must be reinstated,”said the TUCOSWA Secretary General. 

Gina further clarified that, Mbongwa Dlamini’s case was withdrawn from International Labour Organization(ILO) after Government made a commitment that, the matter will be addressed through mediation and urged Government to reinstate the SNAT President.