By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Documentary evidence obtained by this Swaziland News exposes how Swazi Observer editor Mbongeni Mbingo allegedly colluded with Accountant Tengetile Mkhize to deduct savings from workers’ salaries without remitting same to the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation(ESRIC).

It has been disclosed that, for over a year now, the media company has been struggling to remit monies to the insurance company despite the deduction thus placing the workers in a vulnerable situation of not receiving their pension after retirement.

As a result, some of the Swazi Observer workers have been blacklisted by various banks and struggling to secure loans after the newspaper failed to pay for loans despite deducting the money from the their salaries.

The documents further suggest that, Mbingo intensified the alleged fraud and corruption while acting as the Managing Director of the newspaper and, part of the money from advertising corporate companies “was allegedly deposited into his personal bank account”.

Swazi Observer Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo declined to comment regarding these documented allegations.

But Allen Mkhonta, the Managing Director of the Swazi Observer Group of Newspapers confirmed earlier to this publication that, “the Tibiyo TakaNgwane owned newspaper is currently facing fraudulent activities” adding that, he was then placed on leave for attempting to discipline one of the employees.

“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.

It has been disclosed that, apart from failing to remit the monies to the Royal Insurance, editor Mbingo is alleged to have failed to remit monies to the Eswatini Bank and, the company has been financially struggling while advertising companies pay monies due to the Swazi Observer in his personal bank account.