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SUSPEND CEO SGCOKO, EBIS’ MARTIN NOW – MPS

By SIFISO DLAMINI | 2020-10-27

THE House of Assembly has called for the immediate suspension of Eswatini Television Authority (ETVA) CEO and Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) directorate.

Yesterday, the House of Assembly adopted the report of the select committee investigating serious allegations of corruption, nepotism and maladministration reported to be rampant within the as state-owned media houses.

The committee adopted the report with the recommendations; that the ministry of information communication and technology (ICT) should suspend the directorate in the two stations within seven days, pending the establishment of a commission of enquiry to further investigate the allegations unearthed by the committee in the report.

Reports

During the debate, parliamentarians were divided, as some were in support of the adoption of the report, while others indicated that they were of the view that the report was not fair, particularly with regards to the implication of the late former Prime Minister Dr Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, who could no longer defend himself.

They also enquired why the committee did not invite the other people implicated in the report, so they could state their side.

Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini, while seconding the Committee Chairperson Musa Kunene, highlighted the main issues engulfing the stations were the senior management.

He said with regards to the EBIS issue, the committee recommended for the removal of both the Director Martin Dlamini and Deputy Director Gcinangaye Tsabedze.

He noted that the directorate had a long standing feud, which was affecting operations at the station.

He mentioned that based on the submissions, it was evident that the staff was divided and that there were cliques within the station. He said they decided that it would not be proper to only remove one of them, as the employees who were allegedly in the other director’s clique, would be victimised.

He also clarified that the committee was not investigating the late former PM, but what was included in the report was part of the submissions made by the witnesses who appeared before the committee.

With regards to the ETVA matter, MP Lutfo stated that the committee also recommended the removal of the CEO Austin Sgcokosiyancinca Dlamini, as well as the Corporate Affairs Manager Mncedisi Mayisela. He also questioned the board of directorship as according to him, they were failing to control the directorate at the station as they did as they pleased.

Recommendations

He noted that during the visit to the station, the CEO initially refused to allow them a tour of the facilities and later allowed them while refusing to permit them to see all the premises.

Nkwene MP Vulimpompi Nhleko stated that he was in full agreement with the recommendations of the report, and moved for the House to adopt the report as there was a lot wrong at the public stations. He was supported by Siphocosini MP Mduduzi Matsebula, who said he was still traumatised by what they uncovered to be happening at the stations.

He said based on the submissions before the committee, it was clear that there was no management in both the stations.

Motshane MP Robert Magongo, who moved the motion for the setting up of the elect committee, also concurred with the adoption of the report.

He further highlighted that the ETVA CEO should bring back the vehicle which was stolen while in his possession, after he went above the chief finance office and ordered for a reprogramming of the car keys.

On the contrary, MP Prince Kusa said based on the allegations stated in the report, there was a need to dig deeper into the issues stated.

He said he was concerned that the allegations would not be strong and recommended for the setting up of a commission of enquiry to further investigate the allegations and reveal all the facts before the directorate was fired, as the matter would not stand in court, should they take the legal route.

Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga agreed with Dlamini and said there was a need to consider doing a forensic investigation of the matter. He said he was concerned about the allegations made in the report, that the ETVA CEO was responsible for the stolen vehicle. "According to the report, it is implied that the CEO was responsible for the stolen vehicle, what if the vehicle was really stolen while the reports implicated the CEO," he said. He also suggested that the committee should have also indicated how the newly-enacted Broadcasting Bill would assist in addressing the issues within the stations.

Issues

Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo recommended that there should be a detailed report, which clarified that there were indeed issues at both stations. He, however, enquired if parliament had the power to recommend for the removal of the directorate.

"With regards to the removal of the directorate, will it be correct for us to recommend for them to be fired without instituting the proper disciplinary procedures leading to firing of personnel," he enquired.

He noted that as parliament, they would be shooting themselves in the foot if they ignored the same labour laws enacted by them.

He also mentioned that after discovering the allegations implicating the former PM and a former staff at EBIS Thandiswa Ginindza, the committee should have invited her to make her own submissions and respond to the allegations.

He also raised a concern about the implication of the late PM, and stated that some of the issues were not new as they were raised in the previous parliament but they could not do anything about them due to a fear of the consequences of doing such.

He said he did not blame the committee for the report, but said there was a need to find a way to address the issues without shooting themselves in the foot. His sentiments were shared by Mhlume MP Victor Malambe, who questioned whether parliament had the power to fire any management. He also noted that the report was biased, as some of the people who had damning allegations made against them were not given the same platform to defend themselves.

Hosea MP Mduduzi Mabuza noted that the report was interesting. However, when he took a closer look at it, he changed his mind and was against its adoption as it was.

He sternly opposed the implication of the late PM, who could no longer defend himself.

"It is stated in the report that the late PM had a close relationship with a staffer. I do not think it is right for us to openly talk about someone who is no longer among us, as this could happen to anyone of us once we are dead," he said.

He also indicated that the report was not balanced and unfair on the late PM, as he could not respond to the said allegations. He also mentioned that the staff that alleged they were not fired correctly, should have followed the labour laws and reported the issues in the right forums instead of waiting to reveal all to the committee.

Manzini North MP Macford Sibandze raised a concern that the House would adopt the report and nothing would happen to the directorate, which would subject the staff to more ill-treatment and victimisation.

He further requested for assurances from the committee that once the report was adopted, the recommendations would be implemented in order to address the issues to both stations.

He also questioned where the directorate would be redeployed to, as it was clear that they were not fit for management positions.

Kwaluseni MP Sibusiso Dlamini moved for the House to adopt the report with the amendment, recommending that the ministry of ICT suspends the directorate at both stations, pending the setting the up of another commission of enquiry. Gege MP Musa Kunene welcomed the submissions from the House and further welcomed the amendment.

He also reminded the House that earlier this year, they decided to freeze the subvention of ETVA due to their failure to submit audited financials which further magnified the issues at the station. He also mentioned that they did try to call Thandiswa to respond to the allegations, to no avail as they could not locate her.

He also mentioned that if the House felt strongly about removing issue about the late former PM from the report, the committee would do so. He also stated that they believed the ministry would follow all the necessary labour laws while implementing the recommendations for the removal of the directorate at stations.

Kunene then moved for the House to adopt the report with the amendments, and the voted for the adoption of the report, insisting that the ministry should suspend the directorate within seven days pending the setting up of the commission of enquiry.

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