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MBABANE – The PS in the Ministry of Education and Training has reported the threats he received to the police.

According to the Principal Secretary (PS) Bekithemba Gama, the threatening messages he received were from unknown people, after he issued a statement informing teachers and head teachers who did not show up for work that they would be taken to task.

Last Monday, a number of schools sent pupils home due to threats which were circulated on social media. Gama revealed that he reported the threats at the Mbabane Police Station on Friday.

He said this was because he wanted the police to assist him with the matter because ever since he issued the statement, he had been receiving threatening calls and messages. He said while this was frustrating, he firmly believed in the importance of education. He said teachers who did not show up for work interrupted the learning process.

“I have been receiving threatening messages from some people who were expressing their anger towards the ministry for the decision we took. Some of these messages were from people who were saying they would find me and hurt me, and that I would pay for making the statement,” he said. The PS pointed out that the threats would not disturb the disciplinary process.

Messages

Gama mentioned that although he was the one receiving the threatening messages, he believed that they were directed to the ministry, since all the decisions were taken at ministerial level.

He said he wanted to make it clear that even if the people harmed him, another PS would replace him and preach the same gospel of not disrupting the education system. Gama expressed dissatisfaction towards adults who used children to fight their battles.

“We would have not had a problem if these adults took the decision to do whatever they pleased but did not interrupt the children, or worse use them to fight their battles. This to us is a form of abuse and should be condemned as these children have the right to proper education and as we see it now, their right is being taken away from them,” he said.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that the PS reported the threats to the police. She said a case had been opened and the police were currently investigating the matter.