MANKAYANE:Bertram Stewart,the retiring Principal Secretary(PS) in the Prime Minister’s Office has started to reconcile with community members particularly, the youth at Mankayane by entertaining them with cash and free alcohol.
The PS who stands accused of looting over R20million public and donated COVID-19 funds as per a confidential file within the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC), is highly expected to officially leave public office next week, the 7th March 2025 after reaching the retirement age.
On Saturday,the retiring PS was at Mankayane-Mvuleni Complex and, it has been disclosed that, he “has purchased the eMvuleni Bar”.
The retiring Principal Secretary declined to comment about the matter, Stewart is the second PS to leave public office after the King rejected his request for a contract renewal.
Public Service PS Sipho Tsabedze retired as per the ruling of the Civil Service Commission(CSC) and unlike Stewart, Tsabedze allegedly forged his birth certificate in an attempt to avoid retirement.
But this Swaziland News is in possession of confidential information sourced from the Anti Corruption Commission, suggesting that, an investigation into the R20million COVID-19 alleged corruption case involving Stewart was long concluded by the ACC.
Residents of Mankayane who had an opportunity to enjoy the free alcohol offered by the retiring PS, described Stewart as generous.
“He is very generous and the way he buys the alcohol for us, one could tell that he is fully loaded with cash.Since morning, we have been drinking and enjoying with him”, said one of the residents.
Prime Minister’s PS Bertram Stewart who allegedly looted over R20million COVID-19 public funds splashes cash and alcohol to Mankayane residents, buys Mvuleni Bar ahead of retirement next week.