LOBAMBA – “Saphandleka” (it was an oversight).
Those were the words of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, as she admitted that it was an error to have the funds intended for US immigrants deposited into the National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRMA), which is under her portfolio.
This happened during the debate on the Report of the Finance Committee on the House Resolution on the Grant for the US immigrants E7 million shortfall.
Her admission effectively diffused what had been expected to be a heated debate, with many Members of Parliament (MPs) having arrived prepared to demand answers regarding the management of the funds.
Following the DPM’s remarks, the House agreed to adjourn the debate, although the decision left some MPs dissatisfied, prompting complaints to Speaker Jabulani Mabuza.
As previously reported by this publication, the Finance Committee conducted an inquiry into the management of E89.1 million received from the US.
The committee found that, by the time it met with the NDRMA chief executive officer, the authority had spent E21 472 173.06, while a further E11.42 million had already been committed to ongoing contracts.
Presenting the committee’s position, Finance Committee Chairperson and Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo emphasised that the committee’s concern was not whether work had been carried out, but whether the correct legal procedures had been followed.
“These funds are being used for construction work and, as a committee, we are waiting to conduct site visits to verify the projects. We do not doubt that work is being done, but procedures must be followed.”
He added that the committee also wanted an update on whether the required special account had since been established following the tabling of its report.
Khumalo further recommended that the E11.42 million already committed to contractors be released. Sigwe MP David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala commended the NDRMA chief executive officer for his cooperation with the committee during its inquiry.
“Some people become arrogant when they are called to appear before committees, but he did not. He even invited us to visit the projects ourselves and see how the funds had been utilised,” Ngcamphalala said.
“That is why we are requesting that the committed funds be released because the companies involved are local companies. The remaining issues can be examined by the auditor general. He did not hide anything from us.”
Being the first to debate, the DPM simply acknowledged the committee’s findings and accepted responsibility for the procedural shortcomings.
“On behalf of the NDRMA, we appreciate the report. It is objective and it shows that, indeed, saphandleka, it was an oversight that the money came to us in the manner that it did,” she said.
“What I can say is that it has taken time to open the special account. According to a Cabinet paper presented by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, I was not present when it was presented, the proposal was that the funds would be placed in an account opened under the Human Trafficking Department.” She appealed to Parliament to authorise the release of the E11.42 million already committed so that contractors could finally be paid.
“What we are requesting is the E11 million so that we can pay the companies and emaSwati who have not been paid since April because we had to seek Parliament’s approval before using the money.”
Dladla further revealed that the funding delays had also affected assistance intended for immigrants.
Following the DPM’s submission, Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga proposed that the debate be adjourned, citing that the explanation was satisfactory.
“Considering that we are dealing with funds provided by our diplomatic partners, I move that the debate be adjourned,” Mhlanga said.
The Speaker subsequently put the motion to a vote, with most MPs supporting the adjournment.
Speaking after the decision, the Finance Committee Chairperson Khumalo said the DPM’s willingness to admit the oversight demonstrated responsible leadership. “Sometimes it helps to have senior leaders in a place like Parliament, who are prepared to stand up and say, ‘I own up, but we are fixing it. That is how a nation is built. Being arrogant and refusing to take responsibility does not help anyone,” the chairperson said.
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