EMOTIONAL MP CLOSE TO TEARS OVER SCU ISSUES

LOBAMBA - Unlike in previous sittings where he would throw his colleagues in stitches of laughter when making his submissions, MP Johane Shongwe was close to tears yesterday.

This was during the debate of the portfolio committee of the Ministry of Education and Training where Shongwe became emotional as he described the frustration of students from the Swaziland Christian University (SCU) who completed their courses eight months ago but have not been offered the opportunity to graduate.

As he began his debate, Shongwe made it known that he was at pains because he was raising something that he had talked about countless times.
He stated that it was disappointing that His Majesty King Mswati III had emphasised on the need to open more universities yet government did not treat equally those that are in existence.
“When the SCU was opened, I was there and have watched it being treated differently from other institutions. Right now there are students who have not graduated, it has been eight months now. Why can’t government come out and tell the nation the truth on what really is the problem? It is clear that there is more to it than meets the eye,” he said.

Shongwe said it was obvious that the issue that existed was no longer in the hands of the ministry and threatened that he had had enough and was ready to go and report it to His Majesty King Mswati III.
“As a Swazi who cares about all citizens, it is time to take this issue to the next level. I mean it, I will do this very soon. Enough is enough,” he said.

Shongwe said there was enough evidence to prove that something serious was wrong at the institution and made reference to the fact that about 176 first year students have still not been granted scholarships by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
He quoted different verses in the Bible which emphasise on the need to forgive those who have done wrong saying the same should apply to the institution.

“What sin did the SCU commit that cannot be forgiven? If there is something that they did I believe the time has come for government to engage them and forgive because the students and their parents are frustrated by what is happening,” he said.
After he had finished his debate, Shongwe packed the few documents he was carrying and left the House, something which did not go down well the Minister of Education and Training, Phineas Magagula who stood up to complain to the chairperson of the portfolio committee.

Magagula said it was not fair to allow Shongwe to leave without listening to his response to the issue that he had just raised.

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