The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has decided to pay its outgoing president, Mbongwa Dlamini, his full salary until he is formally reinstated as a teacher by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). This decision was made to ensure Dlamini continues receiving an income while awaiting his official return to the government payroll. According to SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati, this move will also enable Dlamini to continue in the teaching service until he reaches the retirement age of 60.
Dlamini's troubles with the TSC began with disciplinary proceedings in which he faced allegations of misconduct, including absenteeism and making statements that allegedly undermined the teaching service. In a letter dated October 5, 2022, Schools Manager Lungelo Nhlengethwa accused Dlamini of being absent from work without permission for 109 days between December 2021 and October 2022. Dlamini was teaching at Moyeni High School at the time, having started working there in October 2021 after spending two years and four months on suspension.
The disciplinary process culminated in Dlamini's dismissal in August 2023, after the TSC proceeded with the hearing in his absence. Dlamini's lawyer, Lucky Howe, had encountered personal challenges following the death of his sister and sought a postponement of the proceedings scheduled for August 23, 2023. However, the TSC allegedly declined the postponement request and proceeded with the disciplinary process without Dlamini and his legal representative, ultimately terminating his employment.
Aggrieved by the decision, Dlamini approached the Industrial Court, which ruled in his favour and set aside the dismissal. The court found that the TSC had failed to exercise its discretion judicially when it refused to postpone the proceedings, despite the exceptional circumstances affecting Dlamini's lawyer. The court held that the decision to terminate Dlamini's employment was null and void and ordered that the disciplinary proceedings against him commence de novo.
Despite the court rulings in his favour, Dlamini has yet to resume his teaching duties at Moyeni High School. The delay has reportedly been attributed to the TSC's alleged failure to issue a formal instrument notifying Moyeni High School of Dlamini's reinstatement. When Dlamini reported to the school on August 4, 2025, intending to resume his duties, he was allegedly informed by the Headteacher Sabelo Manyatsi that he could not return to work without an official reinstatement instrument from the commission.
The outgoing National Executive Committee (NEC) of SNAT will continue managing the affairs of the union until October 26, despite the election of a new leadership. SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati said the outgoing committee would remain at the helm until the official handover of power to the newly elected NEC. The union will host a formal handover ceremony, during which the incoming leadership will officially assume its responsibilities.
A change in leadership at SNAT saw former Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) second deputy secretary general Sikelela 'Mlaba' Dlamini elected as the union's new President. The election of the new committee did not immediately transfer the administration of the union. SNAT has taken a proactive approach to support Dlamini, ensuring he receives his salary and benefits during this period.
Key points
- SNAT will pay Mbongwa Dlamini's full salary until his formal reinstatement as a teacher by the TSC.
- Dlamini's dismissal was overturned by the Industrial Court, which ruled that the TSC had failed to exercise its discretion judicially.
- The TSC's alleged failure to issue a formal instrument notifying Moyeni High School of Dlamini's reinstatement has delayed his return to work.
