GOVT WARNS AGAINST LUBOMBO MINING TRAINING CENTRE

MBABANE - The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade has warned emaSwati against Lubombo Mining and Agricultural Skills Training Centre.

In a statement, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said the company was exploiting vulnerable and desperate emaSwati. He stated that information received by the ministry, was that this company falsely presented itself as experts in providing mining skills training and entices jobless emaSwati to pay exorbitant training fees in return for a certification. Khumalo said the attendees were allegedly promised jobs and tenders in existing and new mining companies once they have been certified.

“The training centre is said to portray itself as connected to these mining companies,” alleged the minister. Khumalo said, therefore, emaSwati were advised that this training centre was not registered at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade. He said existing and new mining companies had confirmed to the ministry that they did not have a business relationship or knowledge of this training centre.

Skills

He added that the same mining companies have confirmed that they neither know the mining certification that this company issues and it would not be used by them to make hiring or tendering decisions. Khumalo further advised that the mining companies have stated that they did not yet recognise this centre to be qualified to offer mining skills training. “All emaSwati are hereby warned to exercise caution when dealing with this centre or others similar to it, to avoid the alleged further exploitation of vulnerable emaSwati,” said the minister. He also mentioned that it was advisable to deal with the mining companies directly through established corporate structures or through the traditional structures, under the Regional Administrator’s offices where applicable.

Courses

When sought for comment, Mavela Sigwane, who is reportedly behind the said training centre confirmed indeed that the Lubombo Mining and Agricultural Training Centre does not exist nor provide training in the country, in relation to Mining. He said the only company which was currently providing Mining, Agricultural, SHEQ, Technical skills like plumbing, electrical, welding, fitting and turning amongst other courses was SIMAV Investments (PTY) LTD Trading as SIMAV SHEQ. He said this company (SIMAV SHEQ) has been verified and it came out that it was the only one in Eswatini providing training services with the required accreditation and ISO 9001: 2015 Certification issued by a German based accreditation firm called TUV Rheinland, the same company which certified the likes of RES, ECC, and others.

“So emaSwati are comforted to continue engaging on the journey towards skills development, which shall enable them to effectively participate in both the job market and available economic sectors in the country,” said Sigwane. He added that the recent Sibaya has set the tone for emaSwati to rally behind the call by His Majesty towards a sustainable economic growth for Eswatini and towards the development of the country.

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