By Sabelo Majola and Samkelisiwe Khoza | 2018-09-28

The delivery of the petition at the US Embassy was spoilt by the thoughtless behaviour of  some teachers who resorted to assaulting Swazi Observer photojournalist Mduduzi Mngomezulu whose camera was also confiscated.

Mngomezulu still has no idea why the teachers lost their minds in the middle of an exercise, where they are seeking help from a foreign mission. The helpless photojournalist was manhandled and assaulted by the teachers outside of the embassy while trying to capture pictures. He was assaulted with open hands and fists and he sustained injuries on the face and body.

Members of  the executive and some of the teachers came to his rescue and they escorted him outside of the enclosed area which houses the Swaziland Water and Services Corporation (SWSC) where he was able to repossess the camera that was stripped from him by one of the teachers.

Mngomezulu has already opened a case with the police. The newspaper will be taking the matter up firstly with the US Embassy where it will enquire if it encouraged assisting hooligans as a known supporter of press freedom.

“It is difficult to believe teachers did this. SNAT has a huge task of weeding out all the ruffians from the organisation if it is to be taken serious by any international organisation like the US Embassy. Again, this incident should help flag other organisations including the US Embassy to consider extending any help to organisations that harbour criminals and gangsters. The newspaper will take the matter up with the Editors Forum, MISA and SNAT executive itself,” said the editor.

He lamented that SNAT allowed its members to behave in a manner that threatened any sympathy.

“We hope the US Embassy will react in a manner that is going to confirm it as advocates of press freedom. And I also hope it will review any form of  assistance it was to extend to SNAT until they are convinced the matter is resolved. Parents should also be worried about their children if teachers behave like rascals,” he added. 

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