INTERNET HEADACHE FOR STUDENTS, BUSINESSES

MBABANE - The restricted internet connection experienced in the past few days not only derailed operations of businesses but also affected the future of university and college students.

Since the blackout was experienced from last Tuesday after lunch, several people on social media platforms raised concerns and fears that their academic work was being affected. In particular, the social media users, most of who claimed to be enrolled in local and South African universities and colleges, decried that they could not submit their assignments and were in danger of being disqualified. Others complained that they had online classes they expected to participate in and were not able to do so due to the fact that they could not access the internet.

Deregistering

Some of the students posted that they were even considering deregistering as it had become obvious that they were going to fail. “The sad part is that I wasted so much money paying for my tuition fees. If the internet blackout continues, it would mean that my money has gone down the drain,” posted a social media user, who claimed to be enrolled at the University of South Africa (UNISA). However, it seems like it was not all doom and gloom as some of the students posted that their institutions had actually considered their predicament. “The UKZN (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) has been so nice to us, my faculty at least. They gave me extra submission time for assignments and tests I missed,” one of the students posted. It should be noted that following the network disruptions, the MTN Group issued a media statement wherein it confirmed that its subsidiary, MTN Eswatini, along with other operators, received a directive from the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESSCOM) to suspend access to social media and online platforms until otherwise informed.

“After assessing the request, and in compliance with MTN licence conditions and in accordance with MTN’s group’s wide Digital Human Rights due diligence framework, MTN Eswatini has implemented the directive. MTN Eswatini will continue engaging with the relevant stakeholders to limit the duration of the service interruption,” it was mentioned in the statement. Interestingly, acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku said the interruption of internet services was as a result of the damaged infrastructure.

Internet

An application has also been filed at the High Court against government, together with the mobile operators for switching off the internet. In the application, the third and fourth applicants are students at the University of Eswatini. According to the affidavit, the students submitted in court that they were due to sit for their supplementary examinations which would be conducted online. “With the continued shutdown of the internet, these applicants and other students will miss their examinations,” reads part of the application.

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