Swazi Observer

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BAPHALALI RED CROSS IN E12M CONTROVERSY

By MELISA MSWELI | 2025-01-27

The Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society has refused to be drawn to comment over a scandal of an alleged misappropriation of E12m that threatens to rock the organisation.

Three senior Red Cross officials are alleged to have been placed on suspension in the wake of allegations of fraud and corruption. One of the three is an executive member of the Red Cross Society, although this could not be confirmed yesterday when the society was contacted.

Instead, officials sent journalists from pillar to post, when asked about the matter, with the communications officer promising to issue a statement today.

This follows allegations that the Red Cross Society is failing to account for E12m donated to it for victims of a recent storm.

As a result, it is believed that three officials have been suspended in the wake of allegations that they have been asked to account for the expenditure.

According to sources, the Red Cross has set up an internal investigation into the matter.
It is alleged that there was money sent to an organisation for services they never rendered, which was where the trio then allegedly accessed the money for personal gain.

The allegations of corruption date back to when there were natural disasters that hit hard at Ngculwini. It was alleged that there were people who were set to benefit but didn’t ,hence those funds were supposed to be accounted for.

The Baphalali board president Dr Bongani Masuku referred questions on this matter to the communications officer.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla confirmed knowledge of a suspension of an officer at the organisation, although as she had been out of office, she did not have the full details.

The DPM further stated that the Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule had informed her of the matter.

She said she was told during the retreat and since they were busy, she did not detail on what transpired.

“The PS told me about the suspension although they have not come to report to me formally given the busy week we had last week,” she said.

Dladla further shared that she was not sure if they were supposed to attend to it as government also gave the Red Cross a subvention that was audited and accounted for.
She said the PS was going to give more clarity on the issue.

However, PS Nkambule asked to be contacted today at 9am, before ending the call, only to call back later stating that they were working on the matter. He said they were going to inform the media and public after they had dealt with it.

Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society Board issued a statement last night informing stakeholders that the Society had no knowledge of these allegations.

The board, however, noted that the Society had launched internal investigations to verify the veracity of these allegations in line with the dictates of the organisation's protocols and established policies.

“A report on the findings notifying all partners, stakeholders and the public at large will thereafter be published. The National Society requests and implores that all interested parties allow the due processes to proceed fairly and unhindered,” reads the statement.

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