MANZINI HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE CAUGHT STEALING FIVE 25 LITRES OF FUEL

MANZINI - While the Ministry of Health grapples with a plethora of challenges, an employee of the Manzini Hospital Oncology Unit has been accused of stealing five 25-litre containers of diesel. The employee, who is believed to be working in the Incinerator Department, was reportedly caught by security guards on Saturday night while purportedly loading the containers into a vehicle. The individual’s name is known to this publication but will not be revealed, as he has not yet been formally charged and the ministry is still conducting investigations. This publication has learnt that the theft of diesel at the Oncology Unit is not an isolated incident.

Discovered

On Saturday night, security guards supposedly discovered the employee, along with a man, allegedly loading the five 25-litre diesel containers into a vehicle parked at the gate of the hospital. It has been gathered that the stolen fuel was seized by the guards and left at the guardhouse. However, there are concerns that the matter may be covered up to protect the employee involved.The stolen diesel, valued at approximately E500 per 25-litre container, brings the total loss to around E2 500.

While the amount may seem meagre, the broader implications are significant, particularly for taxpayers. Fuel theft in a public health facility undermines the government’s efforts to manage the nation’s dwindling fuel supplies and deprives essential services of much-needed revenue during a challenging economic period. This can lead to disruptions in vital services, including ambulance operations, which often cite fuel shortages as a reason for their inability to meet urgent public needs.

According to sources, the guards caught the employee red-handed, loading the fuel into what is believed to be a hired vehicle. “We are not sure if the car owner’s details were obtained, or if the vehicle’s registration number was noted, but the diesel containers were taken,” the sources revealed. A visit to the Oncology Unit by this publication yesterday morning found two guards stationed at the gate. Upon introducing herself and explaining the purpose of her visit, the reporter was told that the guards were unable to provide details and were directed to the hospital management for further comment.

It was noted that the diesel containers were left at the guardhouse, but access to take photographs of the exhibits was denied. Fuel theft within government institutions is not a new problem. Last year, an undercover investigation by our sister publication, Times SUNDAY, uncovered a disturbing operation that could be costing taxpayers millions of Emalangeni in fuel theft at the Central Transport Administration (CTA). Civil servants were reportedly selling government fuel to the public. A visit to the Matsapha CTA depot by the publication revealed that the proceeds from this illegal activity were lining the pockets of individuals rather than being deposited into the Consolidated Fund.

At the CTA depot, it was discovered that drivers were openly filling 25-litre containers with government fuel, which was being sold at a fraction of the official market price. A Times SUNDAY journalist, posing as a customer, bought 25 litres of fuel for just E250—significantly less than the standard retail price of approximately E500. When drawn for comment, Nsindiso Tsabedze, the Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The ministry is aware of this matter, which has been reported by the management of the Manzini Hospital Oncology Unit. One of the support staff members was caught with the fuel.” Tsabedze further stated that the ministry is awaiting a full report, which will be released today. He added that appropriate action would be taken against the suspect if the investigation determines their involvement, in accordance with government procedures.

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