By Zweli Martin Dlamini

KWALUSENI:King Mswati allegedly deployed armed soldiers at the troubled University of Eswatini(UNESWA) on Monday morning,after Lecturers boycotted exams and marched to Parliament as the institution of higher learning faces deepening financial constraints,while failing to pay salaries.

Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch,citizens are shot by the police and soldiers merely for protesting,while human rights defenders are arrested or killed for demanding democracy.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Monday, Dr Salebona Simelane,the Registrar of the University of Eswatini(UNESWA) asked this journalist to contact the army authorities,he then claimed to have not witnessed the deployment of the soldiers some who were pictured within the premises of the institution of higher learning.

“Good morning,Nkhosi.Please ask the army authorities on this issue, but I did not witness a deployment of the army today”, said the UNESWA Registrar.

The Registrar subsequently released a memo later on Monday afternoon,informing UNESWA staff and students about the postponement of the exams amid the challenges faced by the institution.

“The Senate resolved at its meeting held on the 26th February, 2024 that the 2022/2023 Second Semester Examinations should be postponed by one week. Effectively, the examinations shall commence on Monday, 4th March 2024”, reads the memorandum in part released on Monday.

A questionnaire was sent to Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo,the Army Spokesperson,however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded as well at the time of compiling this report.

Dr. Mduduzi Colani Shongwe,the Secretary General(SG) of the Association of Lecturers, Academic and Administrative Personnel(ALAAP) confirmed the postponement of the exams when reached for comments by this publication.

Gabie Ndukuya the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS)told this Swaziland News on Monday that,the University “is facing a serious financial crisis” and they were indeed, expecting the suspension of the examination amid boycott by Lecturers over the non-payment or delay of their salaries. 

“UNESWA is facing a serious financial crisis and were expecting this suspension after the resolution of ALAAP,it is high time government interved in this situation otherwise we’re still to see more of such.The sad part is that the quality of education offered in UNESWA is compromised through all these disturbances,” said the Students Union President.

Speaking to this publication,Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) urged Government to invest in the institution of higher learning.

“In order to pick-up the pieces of the remains of the once very great institution which made me, there\'s need for Government to make education a priority not just to UNESWA but all other academic institutions of higher learning by investing in them through the provision of financial resources, education is an investment not just an expenditure.Furthermore,it must allowed to be autonomous, the academicians must be free to take academic decisions without interference from authorities as is the case konkhe kubutwa kuLabadzala who may not have the capacity to advise.Lastly,a face(Professor)from outside the country who is not mered with local politics could be given a three(3)year contract to run the turnaround strategy in order to revamp the once great institution”, said the NNLC President.