By Zweli Martin Dlamini

LOBAMBA: Benedict Xaba, the Clerk to Parliament is allegedly stealing public funds and, using Government resources to renovate and further build new classrooms at the Mkhondvo Wem School amid allegations suggesting that, “he has links with the private school”.

An investigation has uncovered that on or around the 13th February 2026, the Clerk to Parliament instructed a Parliament officer identified as H Dlamini to write a memo to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport confirming the authorization of a Government vehicle registered GSD 011 PA to be used on the weekend of 13th to 15th February 2026.

But in the said memo, the Clerk to Parliament literally lied saying the Government vehicle will be transporting Parliament Service staff between Lobamba, Ezulwini and Mkhondvo on official State duties, there’s overwhelming evidence substantiating that, Benedict Xaba used the State resources for personal gain.

“This correspondence serves to authorize Mr Vusi Magagula Authority No. 1670 to drive the above-named vehicle over the weekend, between Lobamba, Zulwini and Mkhondvo, transporting Parliament Service Staff,” reads the memo in part.

But information including documents obtained by this Swaziland News further suggest that, the following day (14th February 2026), the Clerk to Parliament instructed driver Vusi Magagula to travel to Dulux Mbabane to buy on his behalf, paint worth fifteen thousand Rands, six hundred and seventy four Rands, forty-one cents (R15,674.41), the money was allegedly a ‘piece’ of the public funds allocated to be used during the preparations of the official opening of Parliament.

The Government vehicle was then driven to Wem School-Mkhondvo but further investigation subsequently uncovered that, Xaba “enjoys close ties with the Management or Directors of the private school” such that, he abused his powers and invited representatives of the school to attend the official opening of Parliament about three (3) weeks ago.

Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba’s cellphone rang unanswered when this publication tried to reach him for a comment.

It remains unclear how Xaba managed to manipulate the Parliament administrative budget but before Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg delivered the National budget, the Clerk to Parliament had allegedly requested public funds to renovate the House of Parliament.