By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Orphans have confirmed their struggle to receive payments at Hlalawati Savings and Cooperative after the death of their parents who were members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF), the same applies to widows.

This disclosure comes after this Swaziland News exposed how Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze “is allegedly looting the Fund, he receives five thousand Rands(R5,000.00) every-week or twenty thousand(R20,000.00) per-months and the looted funds have accumulated to about R1million”.

But apart from this amount, the looting of millions allegedly involving the Army Commander is allegedly intensifying at Hlalawati and Fund might be closed or become unsustainable.

“After reading your story, ngibese ngiyabona kutsi kuya ngani kube lukhuni kutfola timali tebatali betfu bangafa lapha ka-Hlalawati, iyadliwa lemali”, said one orphan.

Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze recently closed the Burial Fund worth over R20million after looting the monies triggering outcry within the army, he subsequently ordered that each soldier be refunded the four hundred  Rands(R400.00) or five hundred(R500.00) joining fee despite the fact that, the fund that was established by soldiers over twenty(20) years ago, had accumulated millions.

But Hlalawati Management subsequently sent text messages to all soldiers on Wednesday morning, denying the allegations after this publication exposed the Army Commander.

“Board itsandza kucondzisa nekucinisekisa emalunga kutsi letindzaba atilisilo liciniso, lokubhaliwe nalokushiwoko akwenteki futsi akuzange kwenteke”, reads the text message in part directed to all soldiers.

The tension within the Army Commander escalated after this investigative journalist exposed Commander Mashikilisane Fakudze for allegedly owning over two hundred(200) cattle worth R3million and, being proceeds of bribes from members of the public seeking jobs in the army and officers who were made to pay for promotions.

The Army Commander is also accused of stealing over R20million and subsequently closed the Burial Fund that was assisting soldiers to contribute twelve thousand Rands(R12,000.00) as “imali yekulila” when visiting families to mourn the death of a soldier.