LOBAMBA – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has questioned the Ministry of Education over the disappearance of a teacher who has been missing from her post for more than seven years while still appearing on the government payroll.
The matter came to light on Wednesday, October 2, 2025, during the Ministry’s appearance before the PAC to respond to a payroll audit by Auditor General Timothy Matsebula. The audit found that a teacher posted to Nhlambeni High School in 2016 was no longer reporting for duty but continued to draw a salary.
A letter from the school’s headteacher confirmed that the teacher, who was hired as an Agriculture educator on March 14, 2016, left the school less than a year later on February 2, 2017, citing ill health. “Her present whereabouts are not known by the school,” the letter stated.
Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Executive Secretary, Nhlanhla Dlamini, told the PAC that the case was not unique. He revealed that many teachers across Eswatini were struggling with mental health issues, with some absent from classrooms for long periods, affecting the education system.
“This case is part of a broader challenge where a lot of our teachers are struggling with mental health. It is a serious issue impacting the education system,” said Dlamini.
Principal Human Resources Officer, Sibusiso Ndzinisa, raised further concern about the Medical Board’s decisions. He said the board often recommended that incapacitated teachers continue working as long as they remained on medication, instead of advising retirement on medical grounds.
Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi added that the Ministry has now partnered with the Public Sector HIV/AIDS Coordinating Committee (PSHACC) under the Ministry of Public Service to offer support to affected teachers across the regions.
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