†‡” •‡…”‡–ƒ”› ƒ……—•‡† ‘ˆ …Šƒ‰‹‰ •’‡…‹‡ •‹‰ƒ–—”‡•
MBABANE – The Under Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office has been accused of singlehandedly changing specimen signatures.
This follows a finding by theAuditor General, Timothy Matsebula, who alleged that during interviews with the Under Secretary (US), Hlobisile Dlamini, and Principal Accountant Thabsile Khumalo, it transpired that the US unilaterally changed the specimen signature for the accountant responsible for issuing purchase orders, without the knowledge and recommendation of the PA, who is the custodian of the specimen signature document.
“When specimen signature document was requested for audit review, the original specimen document could not be furnished,” reported the AG.
In response to this, the Principal Secretary (PS), Makhosini Mndawe, said the office concurred with the AG’s observations and that the PA was bypassed by the under secretary, who ‘single-handedly’ changed specimen signatures.
“This act propagates fraud and the office will involve the police to investigate the matter further. In the new financial year, new set of specimen signatures will be submitted to the Accountant General, Manqoba Dlamini. This will help to strengthen controls and ensure that clear roles are in place,” submitted Mndawe. These allegations are still under discussion before that PAC.
The AG, in his findings, further stated that some requisitions for supplies and services did not have confirmed signatures of the requisition officer, the accounts officer, the head of section and the approving warrant holder. The review of an internal requisition form raised suspicion of forgery and intention to defraud the government of E25 537.
“The office carried out an investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the issue at hand, officers were called upon to clarify their involvement in the matter.
“The following officers; principal human resource officer, principal social welfare officer, senior personal secretary and acting personal secretary, all denied knowledge of the requisitions, their signatures being used fraudulently for procurement procedures and the matter was referred to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the accountant general and auditor general. Affidavits and statements were received from the above named officers,” submitted the PS.
He further submitted that the accountant general acknowledged that she initiated the requisitions, however, was shocked and surprised to find the requisitions now with the PS.
“The US, whose signature also appears as approving officer, also denied knowledge of the requisitions,” reported Mndawe.