By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Owen Nxumalo,the Minister of Education has appointed a Task Team to address the financial challenges within the University of Eswatini(UNESWA).

The appointment of the Task Team whose Chairman is Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director Muzi Siyaya,comes after King Mswati’s South Korea and Singapore delegation shared over R65million as traveling allowances amid financial struggles within various institutions providing social services to the people.

“I’ve been instructed by Cabinet to announce the Task Team that will investigate the challenges within the University”, said the Minister.

Worth-noting,the challenges within the University of Eswatini erupted over twenty(20) years ago and when castrating the institution of higher learning,Government started by reducing allowances for University students.

Law and journalism students among others, later became victims of the agenda as Government subsequently demonstrated reluctance to fund other courses.

Thereafter,Government reduced the number of scholarship beneficiaries before reducing the subversion for the University, in the process, there have been one scapegoat after another as the crisis deepens.

Liqoqo member Prince David,the then Chairman of the University was once identified as the cause of challenges within the institution of higher learning,he was accused of misappropriating funds and was subsequently removed by Mswati and replaced with Prince Mkhumbi.

Lutfo Dlamini,the then Minister of Labour and Social Security was also accused of reducing an allowance for the University students.

But it later transpired that,the University was destroyed by the Government,Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) alleged that,the Tinkhundla system had an agenda to reduce the number of educated individuals who are likely to challenge the undemocratic system of governance.

But Gabie Ndukuya,the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) first applauded the Minister’s decision to announce the Task Team however,she emphasized that,the University needed money.

“The Task Team is a must because there are allegations suggesting that,the Management is misappropriating funds so,the Task Team will verify those allegations and come-up with accountability strategies.But even before we have the Task Team,let’s have the money to financially stabilize the University so that operations can continue while the Task Team conducts its duties”,said the Students Union President.