By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Allen Mkhonta, the Managing Director of the Swazi Observer Group of Newspapers has been sent home for attempting to discipline Tengetile Mkhize, the Accountant who allegedly colluded with Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo in the stealing over R1million company funds.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Monday, the Managing Director said, several acts of financial misconduct were discovered and, attempts were then made to discipline or hold the perpetrator accountable in terms of the company’s Disciplinary Code.

But the Managing Director said, while attempting to discipline the employee, he subsequently received a letter from the Board of Directors, placing him on official leave.

“About a week ago, several acts of gross financial misconduct were identified and confirmed as having been committed by a certain employee.Appropriate action was taken to hold the alleged perpetrator accountable in terms of the company’s Disciplinary Code.I subsequently received a letter through which I was placed on official leave from work.It would not be appropriate for me to deal with this subject matter anymore in light of the fact that I am now on official leave.Please contact the relevant authorities at the Eswatini Observer office whom I believe will assist you on the matter,” said the Swazi Observer Managing Director.

Swazi Observer Board Chairman Sthofeni Ginindza promised to call this journalist later, he is allegedly held hostage by editor Mbongeni Mbingo who, as per a recording in our possession, threatened to expose him for his alleged involvement in the killing of businessman Victor Gamedze “should Ginindza take action against him over the alleged fraud”.

In the recording, obtained by a source within the Swazi Observer newsroom, Mbongeni Mbingo, an alleged boyfriend to King Mswati’s senior wife Inkhosikati Sibonelo Mngomezulu known as LaMbikiza, was bragging saying, the Board Chairman “can’t take disciplinary action against him otherwise, he will just expose the calls Ginindza allegedly made to ‘Dzodzo’ before the killing of influencial businessman Victor Gamedze.

But this publication reported earlier on Monday that, the Accountant allegedly colluded with Mbingo in stealing the company funds amounting to over R1million and, the “money is in respect of advertising revenue, part of it was allegedly paid into the Swazi Observer Managing editor’s personal bank account”.

Mbongeni Mbingo declined to comment when reached by this publication, he now stands accused of collapsing the Swazi Observer and “this publication is currently conducting a vigorous investigation to ascertain the extent of the damage amid allegations of fraud and corruption”.

As a result of the alleged fraud and corruption, it has been disclosed that, an internal audit commissioned by the shareholder-Tibiyo TakaNgwane, is currently underway, the audit comes after the media company struggled to pay salaries for workers amid alleged rampant fraud involving Mbingo.