E2m fraud: EPTC gets order stopping employees pension payout
MBABANE – EPTC has obtained yet another order to stop payments of pension benefits for two other employees who are implicated in the fraud scandal within the company.
The money that was stolen from the Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) is said to be close to E2 million. The two Nelisiwe Ngcamphalala, who was a marketing consultant based at Corner Plaza Post Office in Ezulwini and Khulile Maseko, a postal officer stationed at Nsoko reportedly resigned from work after they were called upon to write reports explaining about the discrepancies in relation to the transactions.
This now brings the number of implicated employees who have since resigned and had payments of their pension benefits interdicted by EPTC to four. Ngcamphalala is alleged to have stolen a sum of E134 088 while Maseko is accused of having a hand in the theft of E200 800. The highest amount involved so far, according to an internal audit that was conducted by the corporation is over E1 million, which was purportedly stolen by the mail sorter Mzwandile Gugulethu Tsela, who was based at Riverstone Post Office. He is alleged to have stolen E1 050 982.
The auditors further unearthed that Gcebile Nonduduzo Dlamini, a cleaner/mail sorter reportedly stole a sum of E591 486 which was the second highest amount to be stolen. The order to stop the payment of the pension benefits for Maseko and Ngcamphalala was issued by Acting High Court Judge Thami Dlamini yesterday.
This comes after the corporation’s lawyer Hasso Magagula of Dynasty Inco Attorney moved two urgent applications.
EPTC Pension Fund and Swaziland Employee Benefit Fund are respondents in the matter.
In motivating the application, Magagula submitted that it was essential to move the applications to preserve or secure the monies due to the duo from EPTC Pension Fund and Swaziland Employment Consultant (Proprietary).
ResIGNeD
He brought it to the attention of the court that Maseko and Ngcamphalala have since resigned from their employment following the discovery of the fraudulent activities. The lawyer argued that, it was therefore important to move the application so that any action instituted by EPTC in future would not be in vain or academic.
He also contended that the applicant (EPTC) was not aware of any property belonging to Maseko and Ngcamphalala, apart from attaching the monies that were due to them. Magagula went on to tell the court that EPTC believed that if the preservation orders were not granted the respondents (Maseko and Ngcamphalala) might dispose of the monies before the finalisation of the action proceedings to be instituted.
EPTC General Manager Corporate Services, Sharon Maziya, deposed to an affidavit where she narrated event leading to the investigations. Maziya first informed the court that Maseko was employed by the applicant (EPTC) as a mail sorter stationed at Nsoko.
She submitted that Maseko was first employed by the applicant on September 9, 2001 as mail sorter and was also engaged on April 1, 2001 on the same position, which became permanent upon completion of the probationary period. The general manager of corporate services narrated to the court that in terms of the employment contract upon passing medical examination Maseko was eligible to
be confirmed to the pensionable establishment of the corporation.
She brought it to the attention of the court that pursuant to the rule of the pension fund, on termination of the services, Maseko was entitled to be paid by the trustees of the fund certain benefits. Maziya contended that EPTC had no knowledge as to when the trustees intended to make a decision to pay such benefits to Maziya. “As part of her duties Maseko was to receive money of behalf of the applicant from customers and/or clients. In the course of that duty and scope, on May 19, 2022 she received a total amount which was deposited at the post office to the sum of E200 800,” submitted Maziya.
DePOsITeD
This money, according to Maziya was supposed to be deposited into the applicant’s account; however, Maseko did not deposit it, causing the corporation a financial loss in the sum of E200 800. She submitted that EPTC then discovered the loss and Maseko was contacted to provide expla
nation or report on the loss of the money from the post office.
According to Maziya, while the management of EPTC was waiting for the report from Maseko, on May 13, 2022 without any notice, filed a letter of resignation directed to the Area supervisor.
In terms of the letter from Maseko, Maziya submitted that the resignation was with immediate effect and it stated that it was due to personal reasons. She contended that following the receipt of the letter, consequently; it was common cause that Maseko’s services with the applicant came to an end when the letter the letter was submitted on May 23, 2022. “Following the termination of Maseko’s services, she is liable to reimburse the applicant the amounts she is alleged to have stolen and/or defrauded. The applicant will soon institute action proceedings against Maseko to recover the amounts stolen and/or embezzled,” submitted Maziya.
Maziya argued that, culminating from the above, the applicant feared that in the event judgment
was granted in its favour, it would have no assets worth attaching in lieu of payment of the involved amount. It was further her submission that the applicant had no knowledge of any assets belonging to Maseko.
loss
When motivating the grant of the order in respect of the application against Ngcamphalala, Maziya submitted that EPTC launched an investigation into certain fraudulent activities that had resulted in a financial loss is excess of E134 088 and Ngcamphalala was implicated in the activities giving rise to the loss.
She pointed out that following the investigation, Ngcamphalala was advised verbally of the outcome of the investigations in relations to the Corner Plaza and Ngcamphalala was called upon to file a report stating the discrepancies in relation to the transactions.
Maziya brought it to the attention of the court that while EPTC was awaiting the report on May 23, 2022 without notice, Ngcamphalala filed a letter of resignation.