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I’LL PAY BACK THE MONEY - LECTURER

30/04/2019 04:16:00 BY SIBONGILE SUKATI

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LOBAMBA – A lecturer from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) yesterday pleaded before the PAC to be allowed to pay back money he owed government, in instalments of E5 000 per month.

The lecturer, Samkelo Tfwala, who is in the Department of Agriculture, was yesterday hauled before the Public Accounts Committee to personally give an account of why he was failing to pay back about E378 000 for salaries he received while he was on an unauthorised study leave.

This was during the appearance of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Controlling Officer or Principal Secretary Bongani Masuku before the Matsanjeni North MP Phila Buthelezi-led committee.

When he made his appearance, Tfwala informed the PAC that he had gone to further his studies in both a Master’s Degree and subsequently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

He said as much as he had gone on study leave, he had intended to sign the bonding agreement with government and communicated with his line ministry and the Ministry of Public Service but eventually left without signing one, which he indicated he would sign upon his return.

Letter

He said he further wrote another letter to one of his directors after he had finished his Mater’s indicating that he had received another scholarship to pursue his PhD and during that time he was employed by the ministry for two months.

However, during this period, the ministry failed to stagger his salary and further there was no letter allowing him to go on study leave, which the PAC stated that he had given himself an unauthorised study leave.

The PS highlighted that Tfwala had already paid about E12 000 of the owed money which left the balance at over E350 000 as he had paid in instalments of E3 000.
PAC Deputy Chairperson and Gege MP Musa Kunene said they were fortunate that Thwala had found a job in Eswatini because it was a large sum of money which he owed to government.

Lobamba MP Allen Stewart said both the ministry and Tfwala were irresponsible in continuing to pay his salary while he was away at school.
This was around the period of 2014-2016.

MP Buthelezi said it was clear that the officer went on an unauthorised study leave and asked when he intended to start paying the money.
“I want to ask the committee that from May 2019, I arrange for a stop order where I will ensure that I repay the money in instalments of E5 000,” said Tfwala.
The PS said he was positive that they could make an arrangement with the lecturer as of late he was very cooperative with the ministry, which was why he had even agreed to appear before the PAC.