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LOBAMBA – Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka is said to be in possession of laptops to be delivered and distributed during the financial year ending March 31, 2023.
At the time of the audit, the Minister was still an employee of the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RESCorp). The irregularity was discovered yesterday when the Ministry of Agriculture provided feedback on the whereabouts of 10 laptops worth €320,800 purchased and delivered in March 2023. The Ministry’s warehouse and IT staff were unable to provide information on their location and therefore reported them missing.
lost
When the ministry attended the PAC meeting in May 2024, the controlling officer told the PAC that the laptops were not lost but were being used by officials. Yesterday, Principal Secretary (PS) Sydney Simelane provided the PAC with a list of officials who were in possession of the laptops, along with their serial numbers. The list includes the current agriculture minister, which has confused MPs as the minister was not near the ministry at the time of the audit inquiry. “I saw on the list that one of the laptops was in the hands of Minister Mandela Chavka. How is that possible since he was in RESCorp during the audit and he probably never thought he would become a minister?” asked Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla.
The deputy minister said the laptops were sent in advance. However, the MP said even then, Tshawuka’s name was on the list even though he was not with the Ministry of Agriculture at the time.
Rescue
However, Auditor-General Timothy Matsebula came to the ministry’s rescue and said the document submitted was the latest distribution list of the gadgets. PAC chairperson Madala Mhlanga said the ministry could have said it was a matter for the minister’s office because the way it was presented raised similar questions to those raised by MPs.
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