MBABANE – Mystery surrounds how the Founder of EMCU, Pastor Chong Yang Kim, has continued to be paid about E327 000 per annum in salaries, despite his role being solely to source donors for the institution.
EMCU is an acronym for the Eswatini Christian Medical University.
Raising even more questions are reports that the council of the institution previously took a resolution that the pastor should not be salaried. The issue has, in recent weeks, sparked debate within the Ministry of Education and Training, with some calling for transparency and clarity regarding what the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with government stipulates.
With the pastor having been part of the university since 2013 and if the salary has stayed the same since then, it would mean that over E4 million has been spent on the pastor, while nothing significant has been declared to the Ministry of Education and Training in terms of the donor funds he is expected to secure as per the MoU between the institution and government.
On a monthly basis, the taxpayer pays about E27 289.60 to Pastor Kim, who is the Founder of the Africa Continent Mission (ACM), yet he has no official role in the administration of operations of the university. His role, as defined in the MoU with government states that he is supposed to raise funds for the institution, yet government, through the Ministry of Education and Training, says it has not received any donor funds from either Kim or donors.
Despite this, government, through the subvention it grants to the university, pays Pastor Kim a salary significantly higher than that of a high school teacher or ordinary civil servant.
Reports have also surfaced that Pastor Kim has asked that this amount be increased, thus raising questions regarding his actual role. These revelations come at a time when Parliament recently passed a motion and appointed a seven-member special investigative committee to probe claims of financial and governance irregularities, alongside growing allegations of corruption and abuse of authority at EMCU.
According to the motion, the committee’s mandate includes investigating the suspension and alleged misuse of the institution’s provident fund, the irregular acquisition and registration of university vehicles and preferential financial incentives reportedly extended to selected staff and students.
The committee is further tasked with examining governance gaps that arose during the absence of a functioning council; possible conflicts of interest involving the minister, the principal secretary and the university’s bursar; as well as the renewal of top executives’ contracts in 2024 despite the council’s inactivity. Additionally, the committee is to assess the adequacy of internal controls over the bursar’s office.
Parliament directed the committee to report back to the House with its findings and recommendations within 14 calendar days.
The motion was moved by Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane and seconded by Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba.
A source close to the issues at EMCU related that it was improper to allow the pastor’s salary, as he is only considered a respected missionary with a mandate to assist the institution in securing donor funding.
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PS accuses pastor of making ridiculous demands
MBABANE – Nanikie Mnisi, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, has accused EMCU Founder Pastor Chong Yang Kim of making unreasonable demands.
This publication engaged the PS to ascertain why the pastor is being paid a salary. The publication also sought clarity on the value that the pastor brings to the university.
“On the value brought by the founder to the institution, I would not have much to say except that of late he is up in arms, making ridiculous demands, disregarding the fact that in a sovereign State you comply with its laws and regulations. You are bound by the memorandum of understanding agreed upon. This is unacceptable; as emaSwati, kind as we are, we will not allow anyone to undermine us,” the PS said.
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Resigned VC wanted gone by end of December
MBABANE – The Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU) Council has rejected the resignation date proposed by Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Seung-Hun Yang.
This is reflected in a letter the council has written to the vice chancellor following his letter of resignation from the post.
In his letter, the vice chancellor had communicated that he would leave the institution next year. However, the council has declined such a request.
In a letter dated 24 November 2025, the council said: “Following your resignation letter, the University Council resolved to accept your resignation. The council, however, declined the resignation date set in your letter (August 2026) and finds it appropriate that the resignation date be 30 December 2025.”
The council mentioned that, in keeping with university norms, the outgoing vice chancellor is expected to facilitate a smooth handover to the acting vice chancellor as soon as he or she is announced by the university before December 30.
“The university thanks you for your service to emaSwati and, in particular, notes with appreciation that during your fourth tenure you successfully constructed the chapel, facilitated the accreditation of the first medical school in the country and stabilised the financial position of the university, as some of your key accomplishments,” reads part of the letter.
When called for comment, Yang confirmed knowledge of the rejection of his proposed resignation date, but said he was not able to say much as matters were complicated.
*Full article is available in our publication
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