By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Fortunate Fakudze-Bhembe,the Deputy Director Pharmaceutical in the Ministry of Health allegedly received bribes amounting to over three hundred and twenty-eight thousand Rands(R328,000.00 via her First National Bank(FNB) account,a highly secretive Ernst&Young health crisis investigation report reveals.

Ernst&Young is a auditing, forensic investigation company that was previously contracted by the eSwatini Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered documents exposing how the Government of eSwatini has been, over the years, conducting investigations and subsequently “keep the investigation reports under the carpet”.

The the Ernst&Young report was handed over to Cabinet subsequent to an investigation conducted on or around December 2006.

Close analyses of the report suggest that,the health crisis and/or the looting of public funds in the Ministry of Health has been going on for over twenty(20) years.

But it appeared in the report and/or documents that,the investigation was launched by the administration of the then Prime Minister(PM) Absalom Themba Dlamini, however, when Barnabas Dlamini took over as PM in 2008, the findings of the report were never implemented or actioned by the relevant law enforcement agencies.

“Supply the Royal Swaziland Police, the DPP and the Corruption Commission with the addresses and banking details of the Chief Pharmacist Ms Thuli Sibiya(‘Ms Sibiya’) and Ms Fortunate Fakudze(“Ms F Fakudze”), the Senior Pharmacist at CMS, and assist the Royal Swaziland Police to prepare and investigate the matter further”, reads part of the findings and/or recommendations of the report.

Government subsequently engaged another Forensic investigation company, Funduzi Forensic Services to conduct an investigation again, the findings of the recent report is a subject of a debate within the corridors of power with efforts being made by some Cabinet Ministers to dismiss it.

A questionnaire was to Fortunate Fakudze-Bhembe,however,she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But Mduduzi Matsebula, the newly appointed Minister of Health when responding to this Swaziland News on Saturday evening, pledged to support all legitimate initiatives aimed at solving the health crisis.

“Good evening Dlamini.I will support all legitimate initiatives aimed at solving the current health crisis,” said the Health Minister.

On another note,Alpheous Nxumalo, the eSwatini Government Spokesperson recently released a statement assuring members of  the public that, the recent investigation report released by Funduzi Forensic Services will be analyzed and handled by the relevant law enforcement agencies.

“Government has noted the huge public interest on the matter of the forensic audit investigation report on the medicinal drugs shortage in the country.Government is also aware of the concerns expressed by some members of the public and the media regarding the release of the report and its findings to the public.On that note, Government wishes to state that: The forensic investigation report by Funduzi Forensic Services was submitted to the Office of the Auditor General. The next step for the Auditor General is to distribute this report to the relevant stakeholders, which in this case include the Royal Eswatini Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Civil Service Commission,Cabinet and Parliament.The contents of the report cannot,therefore,be shared with the public at this point”, reads the statement in part released by the Government Spokesperson.