Africa-Press – Eswatini. A senior official in the Ministry of Home Affairs and three other civil servants have been suspended for six months without pay, following the theft of a government rented kombi in South Africa.
The kombi had been rented on behalf of government, by an international organisation and was to be used by the ministry in executing its duties in the Lubombo Region. The senior official is said to have recalled the kombi to Mbabane, as it was required for other duties. The civil servants allegedly facilitated that it be used for a trip to Durban, South Africa (SA). In facilitating the trip, one of the suspended officers is said to have approached the car rental company for a cross-border document, without the knowledge of the international organisation.
Two of the suspended officers are drivers. The fourth employee, who is a witness, had accompanied those who travelled to South Africa.
Implicated
This was reportedly done without the authorisation of the principal secretary (PS) in the ministry. It is alleged that the implicated officers, who eventually travelled to South Africa, purportedly claimed that they had gone to the neighbouring country to make accommodation arrangements for the Eswatini delegation that was to attend King Misuzulu’s coronation.
The senior official who heads one of the departments within the ministry is said to have not been part of the trip to SA. The kombi, which belongs to the car rental company, is still being sought by the police in the Republic of South Africa. When reached for comment, Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Nhlanhla Mnisi, confirmed that the commission was aware of the matter and was working on it jointly with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, suspension without pay may only be imposed as a disciplinary sanction, and then usually as an alternative to dismissal, but only with a written consent or agreement of the employee. In all cases, the notice of suspension must be in writing, and the reason for the suspension must be stated.
Identity
The ministry is custodian, protector and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons resident in the kingdom. This makes it possible for people to realise their rights and access benefits and opportunities in both the public and private domains. It should also be noted that the ministry controls, regulates and facilitates immigration and the movement of persons through the kingdom’s formal ports of entry. Currently, government is working towards achieving the provision of civics and immigration services at foreign missions; and determines the status of asylum seekers and refugees in accordance with international obligations. While in the quest of achieving the above, the ministry is also making a significant contribution to ensuring national security, enabling economic development and promoting good international relations. Efforts to get a comment from the PS, Nhlanhla Nxumalo, were unsuccessful as he referred further questions the communication officer. When the Communications Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mlandvo Dlamini, was reached, he promised to give responses regarding the suspension of the civil servants today.
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