By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Princess Tfobile Dlamini-Gumede, the Executive Director of the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has summarily dismissed Law Lecturer Gabsile Xolile Mnisi for representing fellow persecuted staff members.

The dismissed Law Lecturer recently filed an urgent application at the High Court, challenging the Executive Director for allegedly undermining other Lecturers freedom of religion.

It has been disclosed that, some Lecturers were complaining, accusing the Director of being ‘narcissistic’ by forcing them to pray under the Christianity religion yet, her conduct of ill-treating employees suggest that she was not actually a born-again person.

A questionnaire was sent to the Limkokwing Director, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments, Gabsile Xolile Mnisi, the Law Lecturer confirmed that, she “has been dismissed by the institution of higher learning”’without a disciplinary hearing.

“It’s true, I have been dismissed without a disciplinary hearing. But I cannot comment further as the matter is now before the court”, said the dismissed Law Lecturer. 

The tension between the Law Lecturer and the Director escalated after Mnisi successfully took Dlamini and the institution of higher learning to court, stopping the migration of workers from the gratuity facility to a new provident fund.

Under the proposed new arrangement, the employees were expected to contribute 5% of their salary to the fund, however, the workers vigorously opposed the new arrangement in court on the basis that, they were not properly consulted by the institution.

The Director then started to target the Law Lecturer who doubles as the Limkokwing Branch Chairperson for the National Workers Union in Swaziland Higher Institutions(NAWUSHI).

On another, the NAWUSHI has reported the Limkokwing Director to the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland(TUCOSWA) for alleged union bashing.

Reached for comments, Mduduzi Gina, the TUCOSWA Secretary General confirmed that, the institution summarily dismissed the Law Lecturer adding that they have intervened in the matter.

“Indeed I confirm Editor,and we were shocked to learn of such summary dismissal,more so because the Federation had intervened to assist the Union and the Management in finding a long lasting approach in their dealings.We have planned a meeting with the Management on the 8th September and among the issues tabled for discussion is the issue of Cde Xolile”, said the TUCOSWA Secretary General.