SNAT THREATENS COURT ACTION AS GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDS TEACHERS’ SALARIES

Lot Vilakati, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers, has warned that the union is preparing to take the government to court over unpaid salaries owed to removed temporary teachers, including their thirteenth cheque.

Speaking to this Swaziland News this week, Vilakati said the situation has reached a breaking point after temporary teachers were abruptly removed from the government payroll system while still being owed money. According to the union, the removal has effectively blocked the affected teachers from following up on their payments.

“This means they won’t be able to make a follow-up,” said Vilakati. “Their thirteenth cheque is gone just like that because government refused to renew their contracts. Government refused to renew contracts for some teachers but they are being owed their money. We are now left with no alternative but to approach the courts to demand the outstanding salaries.”

The thirteenth cheque, which many civil servants rely on at the end of the year, is not a bonus but part of agreed compensation structures. For teachers who were already earning modest wages, the sudden loss of this income has placed immense financial pressure on families struggling with rising costs of living.

Swaziland National Association of Teachers is the largest and most influential teachers’ union in Eswatini, representing over 13,000 members. The union has consistently advocated for improved working conditions, fair remuneration, and job security for educators. Vilakati said this latest development demonstrates what he described as a pattern of disregard for teachers’ welfare.

Temporary teachers, many of whom serve in rural and under-resourced schools, form a critical part of the education system. They often work under short-term contracts with limited benefits, yet carry the same responsibilities as permanent staff. SNAT argues that removing them from the payroll without settling outstanding payments is both unlawful and morally indefensible.

The dispute highlights broader concerns about governance and accountability within the public sector. Critics say that while teachers struggle to receive what they are legally owed, state spending in other sectors remains opaque and unchecked. For educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the country’s future, the withholding of salaries is seen as a betrayal.

Efforts to reach Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli for comment were unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report. The silence from government officials has only intensified frustration among union members, who say they have exhausted internal channels of engagement.

Vilakati stressed that the decision to pursue court action was not taken lightly but has become necessary after repeated attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue failed. He warned that if the issue is not addressed urgently, it could affect morale within schools and disrupt learning.

Education remains one of the pillars of national development, yet teachers often find themselves at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to budget allocations and financial management. The removal of temporary teachers from the payroll system without settling outstanding dues reflects a deeper crisis in administrative accountability.

SNAT has vowed to stand firm until every affected teacher receives their rightful earnings. The union believes that taking the matter to court is not just about money but about dignity and respect for educators.

As the legal battle looms, the question remains whether government will respond constructively or allow yet another dispute with public servants to escalate. For the temporary teachers whose livelihoods are on the line, the issue is urgent and deeply personal. Their demand is simple: pay what is owed.