EPTC launches whistleblowing hotline
MBABANE – In an attempt to prevent fraud and corruption, Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) wants employees or the public to report any suspicious activities.
The corporation yesterday officially launched its 24-hour toll-free whistle blowing hotline, on number 800 23 23.
This exercise will be done in partnership with an independent service provider, KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd, a South African company.
The launch was held at the EPTC Headquarters boardroom yesterday morning.
Corruption
The corporation’s Managing Director (MD), Themba Khumalo, said in their drive to prevent fraud and corruption, EPTC had set up an anonymous toll-free Ethics Hotline (800 23 23), which would enable third parties to blow the whistle anonymously and safely on all unethical conduct within the corporation.
Khumalo said KPMG would be able to receive calls in both official languages of the country, that is English and siSwati. “I would like to emphasise that the hotline is based in South Africa, which will ensure the protection of the whistle-blower’s identification,’’ said the MD.
He said the whistleblowing Ethics Hotline 800 23 23 service could be used by members of the public, employees, customers and suppliers to report cases of fraud, unethical practices, conduct and abuse of company assets.
He appealed to employees, suppliers, customers and all responsible citizens/stakeholders to work hand-inhand with EPTC on this very critical initiative towards improving the company’s corporate image, service delivery, protecting company assets and employees’ job security.
He said as a responsible corporate citizen, EPTC had the duty to ensure that business was conducted on good ethical practices.
“The toll-free Ethics Hotline 800 23 23 is one of the strategies to assist in uprooting any potential unethical practices,” said Khumalo.
Furthermore, the MD assured stakeholders that this initiative was one of the plans that would put EPTC back on its rightful place as a trusted partner in the provision of effective and affordable telecommunication services.
“EPTC is saying zero tolerance to fraud and unethical business conduct,” said the MD.
He guaranteed confidentiality to all whistle-blowers who would report misconduct. He said the public and all stakeholders could not watch silently while allowing dishonest individuals to perpetrate the destruction of a national asset through selfish corrupt, unethical business conduct.
“Our personal growth, economic development and generational welfare is in our hands as a nation,” said the MD.
He added that, at EPTC they believed that collectively, they could influence and promote a good business environment in the country. “Let us join hands in setting a solid base for EPTC, a leader in the telecommunications industry,” Khumalo said.
He highlighted some of the many activities that fell under the fraud and corruption as one may be aware that fraud was broad. The MD said fraud encompassed many activities such as theft, collusion with suppliers, receiving a salary from company when not reporting for duty, paying third parties for undelivered services, abuse of company assets, non-declaration of conflict of interest and many more.
Emphasised
Khumalo emphasised that this service was solely for reporting matters that touched on EPTC. He said the reason for setting up the service was not necessarily informed by any existing issues but because the company wanted to continue maintaining its integrity.
It was worth noting that the telecommunications services provider had been rocked by alleged fraud and corruption cases in recent years.
The most controversial fraud case involving the company was that of E16 million, which was discovered missing and from that amount, E15 million was reported to had been recovered. It was reported that the money was siphoned from EPTC through cyber means. In connection to this crime, the company’s IT technician was arrested with three others. On the other hand, the company had been making a lot of losses due to copper cable theft throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) Secretary General (SG) Mduduzi Zwane, said as a union representing staff members working for EPTC, they appreciated the launch of this service.
He said they believed it would go a long way in saving the company from malpractice and fraud that was happening within the company.
Questions
He said it was unfortunate that the MD could not answer the questions from the media as to what was the rationale behind the launch of this service. He said corruption and malpractice within the company were the reasons and as a result a lot of money had been stolen within the company.
Zwane also highlighted that the copper theft that had been happening of late was a serious concern because in some instances, there were workers of the company who were allegedly involved in it. He said in some areas, residents would allege that EPTC cars would be seen around, then shortly it would be discovered that copper had been stolen.
He also stated that in the company sites, there would be theft of equipment and when they went to report to the police, they would be told that EPTC vehicles were allegedly seen at the area where the equipment was stolen.