EZULWINI – An ESCCOM investigation has uncovered an alleged transfer of about E17 million into personal bank accounts.
The purported financial irregularities involve the changing of bank account details on invoices submitted by service providers and creditors to those of the finance manager of the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM). This is according to a disciplinary notice issued by ESCCOM to its finance manager.
The commission alleges that between January 2023 and July 2026, information contained on creditors’ invoices was falsified and/or forged by replacing legitimate bank account details with personal bank details when payments were processed through ESCCOM’s internet batch payment system.
It is alleged that the changes were made with the intention of diverting payments and/or creating duplicate payments to the finance manager.
Investigations by this publication revealed that about E17 million belonging to the commission was processed and transferred into personal bank accounts.
The commission alleges that the money was misappropriated for personal benefit, depriving ESCCOM of funds for its operations.
The finance manager is also accused of unlawfully withdrawing money using an ESCCOM card and making multiple point-of-sale payments for personal goods and services.
The allegations form part of disciplinary charges including gross dishonesty, theft, fraud, misappropriation and mismanagement of commission funds, breach of ESCCOM’s financial management policies and processes, deliberate misuse of commission funds and assets for personal gain, and misconduct that could bring the commission into disrepute.
The allegations follow the suspension of the finance manager from duty with immediate effect on July 30, 2026, pending an internal investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
In the suspension notice seen by this publication, ESCCOM said it had become aware of allegations that between December 2025 and July 30, 2026, certain payments had been facilitated into the finance manager’s personal accounts from commission funds without lawful justification.
At the time, the commission estimated the loss at E720 000, subject to further verification through the investigation.
The subsequent disciplinary notice alleges a substantially larger amount, stating that about E17 million had been processed and transferred into personal bank accounts between January 2023 and July 2026.
ESCCOM said the finance manager occupied a position of trust and had access to its financial systems, records, documents and other information that could be relevant to the investigation.
Following the suspension, the finance manager was ordered to vacate the office and surrender all ESCCOM property in his or her possession or control, including the commission’s laptop, access cards, keys, official documents, passwords and files.
The finance manager was also instructed not to access ESCCOM’s systems, premises, records or documents unless expressly authorised in writing.
The disciplinary notice made it clear that the allegations did not constitute a finding of guilt and that no final decision had been made.
Information gathered is that the disciplinary hearing kicked off on Friday at ESCCOM’s offices in Ezulwini, with the accused manager appearing before the hearing accompanied by her legal representative, Gabsile Mnisi. The hearing was reportedly postponed to a date to be confirmed pending furnishing of documents.
In a statement, ESCCOM confirmed that it had identified what it described as a serious case of alleged financial misconduct involving its finance manager.
The commission said the matter was detected through its internal controls and had since been subjected to further investigation.
ESCCOM said the alleged misconduct was believed to have occurred over an extended period and involved serious breaches of financial management and internal control systems.
The commission said it had taken immediate steps to protect its interests, including suspending the implicated employee and instituting disciplinary proceedings in accordance with its policies and principles of procedural fairness.
The matter had also been reported to the Royal Eswatini Police Service for further investigation and appropriate action, including the recovery of any financial losses, according to ESCCOM.
However, the commission said it could not disclose the extent of the alleged financial loss or provide further details at this stage because the disciplinary and investigative processes were ongoing.
ESCCOM said disclosing such information could prejudice the investigations and the rights of the parties concerned.
The commission stated that it has also initiated a comprehensive review of its financial controls, approval processes, segregation of duties and governance arrangements.
Additional measures were being implemented where necessary to strengthen its control environment, ESCCOM said.
The commission said it remained committed to financial integrity, accountability, transparency, ethical conduct and sound corporate governance.
The institution assured stakeholders that measures were in place to safeguard its interests and ensure continuity of its operations.
ESCCOM said further communication would be made at the appropriate time.
Police have confirmed that a case has been opened following allegations that ESCCOM was defrauded of E720 559.79.
Police said the report alleged that the money was fraudulently transferred from the commission’s bank account to the personal account of a finance employee between August 2025 and July 2026.
According to police, the complainant reported on July 20, 2026, that the alleged fraud had been committed while the employee was in Ezulwini.
Police said no arrest had been made in connection with the case as of yesterday.
ESCCOM is the statutory regulator responsible for overseeing Eswatini’s communications sector. It became operational on July 31, 2013, taking over regulatory responsibilities previously held by the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation and the Eswatini Television Authority. Its mandate is derived principally from the Swaziland Communications Commission Act No.10 of 2013.
It regulates a broad range of communications services, including telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services and radio-frequency spectrum. Its responsibilities include licensing operators in these sectors, monitoring their compliance with licence conditions and applicable laws, and taking regulatory action where necessary
The commission also manages the country’s radio-frequency spectrum and numbering resources, which are essential for services such as mobile telecommunications and broadcasting. It is responsible for approving communications equipment before it can be used or imported into Eswatini, a process known as type approval. This is intended, among other things, to ensure that equipment meets technical and safety requirements.
Another important responsibility is consumer protection. ESCCOM monitors the quality of communications services and can handle complaints and disputes involving service providers. It also regulates tariffs and competition in the communications sector, with the objective of protecting consumers from excessive charges and unfair competition.
ESCCOM is also responsible for administering the Universal Access and Service Fund, which seeks to extend reliable and affordable communications and ICT services to people across Eswatini, including underserved areas.
In addition, ESCCOM has responsibilities under the Data Protection Act, serving as Eswatini’s National Data Protection Agency. It regulates the handling of personal information, investigates breaches and can impose sanctions provided for under the law.
The commission is overseen by a Board of Directors, while the chief executive oversees its administration, programmes and strategic plan. Its Finance Division is responsible for the commission’s financial and accounting systems, budgets, revenue, expenditure and financial reporting.
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