By Musa Mdluli

KWALUSENI:Lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, the President of the Association of Lecturers, Academic and Administrative Personnel(ALAAP)has, on behalf of the organization, expressed full support for the Acting Registrar of the University of Eswatini(UNESWA) Richard Masuku who publicly disclosed that, Government “is behind the financial challenges facing the institution of higher learning.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday after Education Minister Owen Nxumalo denied that, Government was behind the financial challenges within the University, Nhlabatsi said, the Acting Registrar articulated the reasons behind the challenges very well when interviewed by the State owned Radio Station on Wednesday, he urged Government to release the subvention in time.

“We therefore stand with the Acting Registrar in requesting Government to support the University by paying the monthly subvention quarterly or pay the monthly subvention before the 17th of each month to enable the University to pay staff salaries by the 19th of each month per their employment contract”, said the ALAAP President.

The Lecturers Union distanced itself from the sentiments of Vice Chancellor(VC) Professor Justice Thwala who addressed a press conference with Education Minister Owen Nxumalo trying to counter the sentiments of the Acting Registrar, Vice Chancellor said everything “is normal within the University as Government is financially supporting the institution”.

When distancing the Union from the Vice Chancellor’s alleged misleading sentiments, Nhlabatsi then cited challenges facing the University that include the non-remittance of deducted Provident Fund, Pension Fund and Medical Aid among others.He also cited the non-payment of Lecturers working under the Institute for Distance Education(IDE) for more than three(3) years now and, other challenges which the Management attributed to financial constraints.