LOBAMBA – Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala has promised to investigate claims that there is a town clerk who spends around E5 million on international trips.
The issue came about when the minister was asked to provide clarity on measures that are being undertaken by the municipalities of Hlatikhulu, Matsapha and Mbabane to improve poor conditions of their roads.
In particular, he had to provide an answer to a question on whether he was aware that when ratepayers fulfil their obligations, they expect improvements that enhance their livelihoods.
He was also asked to explain why the interim clerk at the Hlatikhulu Town Board was given only 12 months.
It was Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane who made the allegation and the minister spent some time asking if the E5 million had been spent on a single trip and many others.
Maphalala said he was not aware of any instance where a chief executive officer had spent E5 million on a trip. However, he noted that municipal budgets and expenditures were subject to strict oversight and accountability measures.
“Municipalities submit their budgets annually and provide audited financial statements. The process is extremely transparent,” he said.
The minister added that audited financial statements were ultimately made available to ratepayers, who had the opportunity to scrutinise expenditure and question any items they believed required further explanation.
The minister said he will look into the matter. Meanwhile, Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba highlighted the deteriorating condition of roads in Matsapha, describing the industrial town as the economic hub of the country.
He said businesses operating in the area had complained that poor road infrastructure was negatively affecting their operations and competitiveness.
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… committee to probe Peak Timbers allegations appointed
LOBAMBA – Parliament has appointed a seven-member select committee to investigate allegations of unfair treatment of local subcontractors.
The committee will also investigate other alleged irregularities at Peak Timbers following concerns raised by Members of Parliament during a sitting of the House of Assembly.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion calling for a parliamentary inquiry into operations at the forestry company, amid claims that local businesses and workers were being disadvantaged in favour of foreign contractors.
Before the debate on the motion commenced, the attorney general was requested to advise the House on whether Parliament had jurisdiction to investigate the matter, given that Peak Timbers is a private company.
The attorney general advised that although Peak Timbers is privately owned, the issues raised had broader public interest implications because the company employs a significant number of emaSwati and engages local businesses through subcontracting arrangements.
Following the guidance, the House proceeded to establish the committee, which has been tasked with examining several aspects of the company’s operations.
These include reviewing rate structures for similar work and equipment, investigating the allocation and distribution of harvesting compartments, examining the allocation and reallocation of loading and extraction equipment and assessing the awarding of stump-to-mill contracts and other opportunities within the forestry value chain.
The motion was moved by Ndzingeni MP Singalwi Magagula and seconded by Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini.
Presenting the motion, Magagula argued that the forestry industry was originally intended to create opportunities for emaSwati and stimulate local economic development. However, he alleged that many local subcontractors were being displaced while foreign contractors were receiving more favourable treatment.
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