By Colani Khulekani Maseko.

MBABANE:Gabie Ndukuya,the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) has attributed the ongoing suicide cases within the University of Swaziland(UNESWA) to an alleged statement issued by Labour and Social Security Minister Phila Buthelezi.

The Labour Minister is alleged to have told University students that, Government will delay their allowances as a punishment against them, for insulting King Mswati, the delayed allowances are sourced from public funds.

This comes after Justice Thwala, the UNESWA Vice Chancellor released a memorandum, informing students and all staff about the death of another student within the higher learning institution, the student allegedly committed suicide.

“It is with sadness that I announce the death of Ms. Ncobile Mavimbela who was registered with the Faculty of Science and Engineering pursuing a Degree in Bachelor of Science Year III,” reads the memorandum in part released by the Vice Chancellor.

Efforts to reach the Minister of Labour and Social Security proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

But Gabie Ndukuya the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) told this Swaziland News on Thursday that, two(2) UNESWA students recently committed suicide due to financial challenges after the Labour Minister arrogantly told students to forget about allowances if they continue insulting the King.

“I will like to send my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and entire student body.Two students have committed suicide, one from Luyengo Campus and the other one from Kwaluseni Campus.We have been saying it as a Union that the Government's failure to cater for students will result to catastrophic scenarios, what is more disturbing is that Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi said students should forget about allowances as long as they insult the King,” said the Students Union's President.

Eswatini is facing an education crisis, amid Government's failure to fund education, even schools are facing shortage of teachers and working equipment.