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FORMER PM’S KIDS WON’T REFUND GOVT

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LOBAMBA – Former Prime Minister’s children Muzi and Fikile have denied liability for refunding government monies for scholarships that were awarded to them, allegedly erroneously.


They have said if needs be, the matter can go as far as the country’s court.
Several other emaSwati who were granted the scholarship in a similar erroneous manner have refunded government while some were still paying.
Muzi, Fikile and two others who are Michael Mbetse and Cusana Shongwe were expected to appear before the PAC yesterday to answer on why they had not refunded government.


Only Shongwe, who works in Parliament, was absent.
PAC Chairperson Phila Buthelezi recused himself and became an ordinary member saying: “It is common knowledge that I was involved in spats with the father of the two. I will recuse myself and ask the deputy chairperson to take over.”


The Deputy Chairperson Musa Kunene, who assumed the reigns, said government’s in-service scholarships were meant only for public servants and they had strict conditions.


deserve


He explained to the three that they had been called to refund government because they did not deserve the scholarship since they were not government employees at the time.
Muzi said he was particularly taken aback by statements to the effect that he had been awarded the scholarship fraudulently, yet he had applied and was granted by government.


He said he detested the word ‘fraudulent’ because it created an untrue narration of what happened.
Dlamini said some- time in the year 2 000 he was made aware of the opportunity to apply for government scholarship to study accounts in Zambia.


applied


He said he had applied to the Ministry of Public Service and was granted the scholarship.
“I completed the studies after a year and a half and came back to Eswatini where I have been working ever since. I do not know why 20 years later this issue is coming up. There was no fraud and the essence of it all is that I do not think I am legally bound to pay government any money.” he said.


The Auditor General’s Representative Ndumiso Mkhabela said the government training policy of 2 000 states that the in-service training was strictly for government employees.


To this, Muzi said the error was on the part of government and should not be attributed to him because if he did not qualify, he should have been denied.
MP Lorraine Nxumalo asked where he had seen the notice to apply, but he said he had forgotten since this took place several years ago.


proof


MPs also asked Dlamini to show any proof that he deserved the scholarship but he said the onus of proof was on government. He said all documentation was destroyed since he does not keep papers for more than seven years.
He reiterated that it was grossly unfair for him to be required to repay government.
Meanwhile, his sister who uses the marital surname Gama, said she had been awarded a scholarship to study in Botswana. She said she had heard about the opportunity from one Mciniseli, who had also benefitted.

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