MBABANE – Investigations have revealed that about 41 drivers in the Ministry of Education and Training allegedly siphoned more than E11.9 million from government coffers through fraudulent overtime claims dating back five years.
According to findings of an ongoing probe, the exact amount stolen through fraudulent claims is E11 931 333.43 and the scheme is said to have been operated since 2020.
The matter has now been escalated to law enforcement after the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education and Training, Nanikie Mnisi, officially opened a fraud case.
It has been established that a team of police investigators yesterday went to the Office of the PS to record a statement from her as part of their ongoing probe.
The case is being handled by the Hhohho Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit, marking the beginning of a full-scale criminal investigation.
Mnisi confirmed to the Times of Eswatini that the ministry has referred the matter to the police, following the outcome of internal investigations.
“A formal case has been opened. We are cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure accountability and that appropriate action is taken against those responsible,” she said.
According to preliminary findings, the fraudulent scheme allegedly involves collusion between several drivers and officers in the Treasury Department. It is alleged that the suspects falsified overtime claim forms, duplicated payments and manipulated financial records to divert funds into their accounts.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that some of the fraudulent claims were processed using duplicate payment vouchers with altered reference numbers to avoid detection.
Others were disguised as reimbursements for national events or emergency assignments that never took place.
“It appears that the drivers and certain officers worked together to create a paper trail that made these claims look legitimate. In reality, some of those national events were fictitious, while others were repeated multiple times in different financial periods,” a source close to the investigation said.
The fraudulent payments reportedly ranged between E27 000 and E35 000 per month for some individuals, with others allegedly pocketing as much as E150 000 in a year.
The PS’ decision to report a police case comes after internal auditors uncovered clear patterns of falsified records. Mnisi yesterday morning registered the case, a development confirmed by Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.
Mnguni said the case has been handed over to the Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit for investigation. She stated that the police are currently awaiting some information.
While Mnguni did not confirm the number of suspects, sources within the ministry say a number of arrests are expected soon.
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Unions vow persistence until 100 per cent implementation
MBABANE – Public Sector Unions stated that their chapter remains open until government fulfils its promise on salary payments.
During a press conference held after the signing of the salary review report at the Ministry for Public Service yesterday, representatives of the Public Sector Unions declared that they will continue to remind government until all owed funds are paid as agreed.
“Our signing today does not mean we have closed the chapter with government. We will persist in our efforts until our money is paid. We thank all workers for their support during the negotiations. We would not have been able to push for our rights without your backing,” said Nokuthula Dlamini, President of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SDNU).
President of Eswatini National Association of Government Personnel (SNAGAP) expressed hope that they would be able to hold government accountable through the signed agreement.
*Full article available in our publication.
Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo (R) and PS in the ministry Nanikie Mnisi, who reported the matter to the police. (Pic: File)
