LOBAMBA – The Ministry of Labour and Social Security Principal Secretary (PS) Makhosini Mndawe got a grilling from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over undistributed E86 000 terminal benefits of deceased ex-mine workers.
The PAC noted that records show that it has been over a decade now (2013) that funds of a total of E156 054.41 which were to be received by 62 101 former mine workers and dependents of those deceased were not fully distributed.
Discussing the issue which was drawn from the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula’s report as at year ended March 2023, the PAC said it remains unclear why E86 136.92 was flagged as still undistributed.
In response, Mndawe said it was not necessarily true as there had been developments post Matsebula’s auditing period. Mndawe also clarified that while records show that the funds were from 2013, they were actually from the year 2021. He said between 2023/25, they were able to distribute over E39 000 to the two families but the balance still remains.
The PS said that there were eight beneficiaries in the three families that remained without receiving the funds. However, he said, two of the families received E39 285 with the one family still remaining.
“The remaining balance has been giving us problems. There are issues with it. The first challenge is that there are family disputes,” Mndawe said, adding that there were still internal processes. He also said the second challenge was that there other beneficiaries relocated to South Africa and the issues of lack of jurisdiction apply. Mndawe said they are however making efforts to locate them from across the border.
Mndawe also said that there were delays in that the ministry has a shortage of vehicles which prevent officers from going to investigate and locate the beneficiaries or the families of the deceased mine workers. The PS said while picking up the infighting between the family, the ministry momentarily held the money. He also said they sought the intervention of the Office of the Master of the High Court on this issue but have not yet received a response.
PAC Vice Chairperson Manzi Zwane, however said that it was hard to believe the ministry on this update as there was no evidence that the families who are alleged to have received the money actually did.
PAC Chairperson also weighed in on the matter in a confirmation tone to Mndawe and said that under his constituency there were those beneficiaries who said they received the money. The PAC resolved the matter by slapping Mndawe with a E400 fine for delays.
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