Industrial Court Judge Lungile Msimango has issued a verdict to the effect that the decision by the Eswatini Government to stop the salary of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini since October 2022 was illegal and be set aside.

The ruling was delivered on Monday at the Industrial Court in Mbabane, following an application by SNAT challenging the government’s decision to withhold Dlamini’s salary without any lawful reason or due process. Dlamini is a teacher at Mhlatane High School in the Lubombo region.

SNAT argued that the government’s action was a violation of Dlamini’s constitutional rights and labour laws, and that it was motivated by malice and political interference. SNAT also claimed that the government was trying to intimidate and silence Dlamini for his outspoken criticism of the government’s policies and actions.

The government, on the other hand, argued that Dlamini was not performing his duties as a teacher and that he was absent from work without permission. The government also accused Dlamini of inciting violence and unrest among teachers and students during the protests that rocked the country in June 2022.

Judge Msimango ruled that the government had failed to prove its allegations against Dlamini and that it had acted unlawfully and unfairly in stopping his salary. He ordered the government to reinstate Dlamini’s salary with immediate effect and pay him all his arrears with interest.

BREAKING NEWS: Today (08-05-2023) Industrial Court Judge Lungile Msimango issued a verdict to the effect that the decision by @EswatiniGovern1 to stop the President's salary since October was illegal and be set aside. @eduint @SadtuNational @daveswords pic.twitter.com/ASeP4gWhP2

— SNAT Swaziland (@SnatSwaziland) May 8, 2023

The ruling was welcomed by SNAT and its affiliates, such as Education International, South African Democratic Teachers Union, and Dave Wordsworth, who expressed their solidarity and support for Dlamini and his struggle for democracy and human rights in Eswatini.