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MBABANE - There is an alleged move to block teachers, who are also members of SNAT, from entering the race for the Eswatini National Elections.

These allegations were made by some teachers who are aspiring lawmakers, this week, to the Eswatini News team.

The aspiring lawmakers, who, however, preferred to remain anonymous, alleged that there were some outgoing legislators conspiring with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), not to grant single members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), permission to take a brief leave to gunner for the current national elections.

The functions of the commission are to make appointments (including promotions and transfers) and selection of candidates for appointment, confirmation of appointments, and termination of appointments, disciplinary control and removal from office of teachers at the TSC.

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“These outgoing legislators are hell-bent on blocking us as teachers from participating in the current national elections.

“They have alleged and accused us of being pro-democracy as we are members of SNAT.

“We appeal to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to intervene in this matter. As of now, we are not sure if we will get permission for leave of absence from our employer, TSC, due to this sabotage,” one of aspiring MPs who is also a teacher, said.

SNAT Secretary General (SG), Lot Vilakati has said the teacher organisation will comment and further take on matter once the complaint has been formally lodged by the aspiring MPs.

‘Right now, it is difficult to comment, but immediately after these teachers have raised these allegations, we will then intervene as an organisation,” SG Vilakati pointed out.

Well-placed sources have disclosed to this publication that in this year’s national elections, it would be difficult for the teachers to be granted leave of websence by their employer.

Another teacher, whose name will not be disclosed, said that he was contemplating resigning in the event the TSC refuses to grant him with leave of absence permission.

“I am planning to resign immediately my request is ignored

or declined since I am very confident that I will succeed in the elections under my constituency.

“That MP who is blocking me won’t see what is coming as I am prepared for this race,” said the teacher.

(File pic) Teachers singing and dancing during a recent meeting. This is not to suggest that the people in this photo are related to the article.