A dispute over accommodation rentals has resulted in teachers allegedly being locked out of houses, while others were dispossessed of their cars.
The teachers were allegedly locked out at Our Lady Of Sorrows High School as relations between them and the mission running the school turned sour over unpaid rentals of no less than E100 000, for all affected 16 teachers.
Teachers who were interviewed confirmed that doors to, at least, two houses remain locked.
“We have two teachers who have been unable to attend lessons because their houses remain locked. Others decided to seek affordable accommodation elsewhere,” explained a teacher, who preferred anonymity.
The locking out of the teachers came about after the Catholic Church Mission demanded monthly rentals for houses belonging to the Church, and located within the school premises.
It was stated that the teachers failed to honour their obligation after the mission allegedly hiked rentals by over 100 per cent.
The increase saw the teachers failing to cope, and in the process accumulated a hefty combined debt.
In reaction, the ‘owners’ of the school decided to lock all doors to stop the teachers from using the houses, which impacted heavily on the learning process at the school.
In order to apply pressure on the affected teachers, the mission turned to the courts for legal recourse.
This saw the 16 teachers being forced to abandon their duties in order to attend to the court case, putting a further strain on the learners.
Officials from the Shiselweni Regional Education Office, alongside others from the Regional Administration were meant to visit the school on a fact finding mission yesterday, but the trip was reportedly cancelled at the eleventh hour owing to the unavailability of some key people.
According to the Regional Education Officer Siboniso Gumbi a new date would set for the fact- finding mission.
The dispute dates back to 2020 and has been dragging in the courts after the teachers registered their opposition.
The matter escalated beyond the school when the Ministry of Education and Training learnt of the dispute and its effects. The motor vehicles that were attached include a Mazda 2 and a Mazda 3.
Apart from the two cars, the mission successfully acquired a Court Order to attach household items belonging to other teachers.
It was also gathered that the ministry has found itself being forced to intervene. This followed a recent visit to the school by the Minister Owen Nxumalo.
The Eswatini Observer learnt that the intervention entailed facilitating housing allowances for all the affected teachers.
A query was sent to Sister Terissita of the Our Lady of Sorrows mission, who acknowledged the existence of the dispute.
She was, however, uncomfortable with sharing details, saying the moment was not right.
