SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR E60M UNESWA FRAUD

MATSAPHA – A suspect has been arrested in connection with the E60 million UNESWA fraud case.

This was confirmed by Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni. The police confirmed the arrest shortly after this publication had gathered that a Ministry of Labour and Social Security employee had been called in to assist the police regarding the UNESWA fraud case. The developments on the police investigations were revealed by the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Justice Thwala, during a press conference, which was held at Kwaluseni Campus’ conference room yesterday. The press conference was also attended by UNESWA Acting Registrar Richard Masuku and Bursar Mfanzile Dlamini, among others.  

The VC said they were not aware of the alleged E60 million UNESWA fraud case, until the Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo visited the institution on Monday to introduce the 12-member task team to assess the state of affairs of the university, with the view of fully understanding the limitations and inadequacies. He said during the visit, the minister indicated that there was a case of E60 million fraud, which had been brought to his attention.

Requested

It is alleged that an individual requested the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to send the sum of about E60 million into his bank account, instead of that of the university. However, the anomaly was picked up before the money was transferred and the matter was reported to the police.  During the press conference, the VC highlighted that it was their first time to hear about the matter. He said they took it upon themselves to investigate it, by enquiring from the various departments they work with, including government, in particular the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, together with the police.

“Today (yesterday), we were reliably informed that there is an employee from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security who is assisting the police with information regarding the matter,” Professor Thwala said. He said they were waiting for the police to conclude their investigation, so that they could get an update about the matter.  The administration of the university was asked if there was a link between the E60 million fraud case and the E7.7million fraud matter, which allegedly involves businessman Siyabonga David Dlamini, who had since been arrested. UNESWA Bursar Mfanzile Dlamini said, for now, it would be difficult for them to confirm if there was a link, or not, between the two incidents.

Concluded

“We think once the police investigation has been concluded, this question will be answered,” the bursar said. On another note, the administration was asked what the E60 million was meant for. The VC said in actual fact, the institution was not expecting this similar amount of money from government. He said this was because they had not yet registered incoming students, but such would be done in August 2024. Therefore, he said it was not clear what the money was meant for. He said they hoped the ongoing investigation by the police would clarify that.

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