Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo has condemned the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) over alleged threats made against headteachers and teachers during the recent Teacher’s Day celebrations.
Speaking during a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters, Nxumalo said the annual event, meant to celebrate educators, had been marred by tension between union members and school management.
“It has come to my attention that during the celebrations, there were headteachers and teachers who did not see eye to eye before going to the event,” Nxumalo said.
The minister revealed that SNAT members allegedly made threatening remarks against principals who are members of the Eswatini Principals Association (EPA).
“SNAT allegedly stated that they would go to schools where principals do not affiliate with SNAT and cause anarchy,” Nxumalo said.
He added that such remarks were unacceptable, warning that violence or intimidation in schools would not be tolerated.
“As a ministry, we are condemning this. It is not a good thing because they continue to threaten teachers with those words,” he said.
Nxumalo emphasised the need for peace and respect within the education system, calling on all stakeholders to follow the example set by His Majesty in promoting harmony.
“We ask, as led by His Majesty, that there should be peace in schools,” he said, also apologising to principals who felt threatened.
The minister urged teachers and unions to use constructive dialogue to resolve issues rather than public confrontation.
“If there are issues that did not go well during preparations, call all involved stakeholders to resolve the issue,” he advised.
Nxumalo confirmed that the ministry had already engaged both the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and SNAT over the matter and would soon meet with EPA to find a resolution.
EPA seeks engagement with minister
The Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) confirmed that it had requested a meeting with the minister to address several concerns affecting school leadership.
EPA President Mduduzi Masilela said their efforts to meet with Nxumalo began before the controversy.
“On two occasions we have asked to see the minister to speak on issues concerning our work as headteachers in schools,” he said.
Masilela emphasised the EPA’s desire for a private and constructive discussion with the ministry.
SNAT denies threats, says allegations are unfounded
SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini has strongly denied allegations that the teachers’ union threatened to cause chaos in schools.
“There is no anarchy that we can ever cause. What we do is go to schools, hear members’ complaints, and promote SNAT — which is within our rights,” Dlamini said.
He argued that SNAT’s actions were being misrepresented, claiming that union visits and advocacy were being wrongly labelled as anarchy.
“When we intervene in cases of abuse or unfair treatment of teachers, they call it anarchy, but we will not stop,” he said.
Dlamini accused some principals of abusing power and denying teachers’ rights, adding that the ministry’s reaction was based on comments taken out of context.
“The problem is that people take one line out of context,” he said, adding that SNAT would continue visiting schools legally.
He admitted referring to some principals as “side chicks of the ministry”, explaining that it was a metaphor about divided loyalty.
“Government and SNAT have a recognition agreement that gives SNAT exclusive rights to represent teachers,” he said.
“So when other teacher groups meet with the ministry, it undermines that agreement — that’s where the ‘side chick’ term comes from.”
Dlamini further accused the Teaching Service Commission of bias in promotions, claiming that some principals owe allegiance to the TSC rather than the ministry.
“They pay allegiance to TSC more than the ministry of education,” he concluded.
