MBABANE:Paul Loffler, the Managing Director of the Times of Eswatini has formally indicated to some of his employees that, the giant media company has been sold and that, new owners will come-in with own Human Resources and Accounts Departments staff.
Loffler had previously confirmed to this Swaziland News that, he “can sell the company” if approached by a buyer with a convincing offer.
“I cannot say I’m selling it Zweli and I cannot also say I’m not selling it. You see everything is not for sale but it is for sale. If I can ask you “are you selling your phone obviously, you will say NO because you are using it now. But if I can come with a convincing offer and say; “here is an offer, please give me your phone”, you can sell it to me”, said the Managing Director when speaking to this publication about three(3) months ago after information reached this publication suggesting that, the media company might soon be taken over by new investors.
But Paul Loffler had not responded to a subsequent questionnaire sent to him on Tuesday evening regarding the latest developments, he was asked to clarify if the company has been sold as per his earlier indication.
But on Friday, the Times Director told some of his employees to collect all monies owed to the media company, he was also seen taking pictures of the building situated at the Industrial Site, the capital city- Mbabane.
“He has ordered the collection of all revenue due to the company from clients and now, he is taking pictures of the building. Let’s wait and see and we will update you regarding the latest developments, it seems he has sold the company but nothing has been communicated to us,” said one of the senior Managers within the Times when alerting this journalist on Friday afternoon.
When asked by Managers and senior editors very close to him, Paul Loffler eventually confirmed that, the company has been sold.
As a result on Tuesday afternoon, the Times Director allegedly sent his Financial Manager Bongiwe Mamba to engage the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Headquarters-Ezulwini, as part of the ongoing process to hand over the company to the new owners.
It has been disclosed that,the Times might soon be under the ownership of a well-known businessman and be incorporated into a powerful group of companies.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Wednesday morning, the ‘soon to be new owner of the Times’ confirmed that “there are ongoing negotiations with Director Paul Loffler regarding the sale of the media company” but asked to remain anonymous at this juncture pending negotiations.
“I can confirm that, our negotiations with Paul Loffler are at an advanced stage,” said the businessman.
The Times of Eswatini Offices situated in Mbabane.