By Wendy Magagula

MBABANE: Saladin Magagula, the former Hhukwini Member of Parliament(MP) who chaired the Parliament Select Commitee tasked with investigating the affairs of the Public Service Pension Fund(PSPF) has called for  more Investigations through a Commission of Inquiry.

The sentiments of the former MP come after this Swaziland News published a series of investigative articles suggesting that government  and politically connected companies linked to King Mswati looted billions at the Pension Fund through systematic loans.

When interviewed by editor Zweli Martin Dlamini during the current affairs program on Swaziland News audio channel , the former MP said a Commission of Inquiry was needed to conduct a full investigation into the affairs of the Fund.

“When we conducted our own investigation as Parliament we discovered that the Fund was literally grabbed by government in complete disregard of the law and it is dangerous for any  Cabinet Minister to defy Parliament. We need  a Commission of Inquiry to conduct more investigations because even Sandile Dlamini(ex FSRA Chief Executive Officer) suggested an investigation but was blocked and we were shocked wondering what was really happening”, said the former MP.

On Monday, this Swaziland News published an article that exposed Christian Ntshangase, the late Minister of Public Service's   letter to  Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg requesting him to implement a Parliament resolution suggesting that Cabinet must reverse a decision to convert the Pension Fund from being a category A public enterprise to Category B.

“As you may be aware that the House of Parliament passed a motion calling upon the Minister of Public Service to reverse the categorization of the Public Service Pension Fund from Category A to B of public enterprises. I have found this to be difficult for me to carry out since the supervision and categorization of public enterprises is not part of the responsibilities of my Ministry, but that of the Ministry of Finance. I therefore request you to carry out the resolution of Parliament and reverse the categorization of the Public Service Pension Fund from Category A to B”, read the letter written by the late Minister of Public Service.

A questionnaire, including a copy of the letter was sent to Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.