Mbabane – The Luke Commission says a campaign on social media accusing it of corruption and labour abuses has placed its international donor funding at risk, prompting the organisation to seek urgent intervention from the High Court.
Court papers filed under Case No. 1709/26 state that the Commission fears continued publication of the allegations could damage its reputation with international donors, affecting the medical and humanitarian services it provides to thousands of Emaswati.
The Commission has asked the High Court to stop former employees Nkosinathi Makhava Nhlabatsi and Ntokozo Michael Mabuza, together with Sydney Maseko, from publishing further allegations on Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and X. It also wants existing posts removed within 24 hours and an unconditional public apology.
Executive Director Echo Nomsa Vanderwal states in her founding affidavit that the organisation relies heavily on donor funding, public trust and partnerships to operate. She says any interruption to that support would have far-reaching consequences.
“If donor funds are frozen as a result of these publications, the applicant’s workforce shall lose their jobs, which increases unemployment in the country,” Vanderwal states in the court papers.
She says a loss of funding would also affect the Commission’s ability to continue providing healthcare and humanitarian assistance.
According to the application, the dispute followed the expiry of fixed-term employment contracts for Nhlabatsi and Mabuza. Vanderwal alleges that instead of pursuing available legal channels, the respondents embarked on a social media campaign that has intensified over the past two weeks.
The affidavit states that Nhlabatsi published a series of Facebook live videos alleging that staff members were intimidated, denied copies of their employment contracts, served expired food and required to work long hours without overtime pay. He also allegedly claimed employees who spoke to labour officials later lost their jobs.
Mabuza is alleged to have posted videos accusing the organisation of violating employees’ rights and misleading workers about salaries, while also criticising government over the matter. Maseko allegedly published posts claiming the Commission misrepresented the health status of Emaswati to secure donor funding and that donated funds were improperly used.
Vanderwal denies all the allegations, describing them as false, malicious and damaging to the organisation’s reputation. She says the respondents have chosen to air their grievances on social media instead of pursuing remedies available through the Industrial Court.
The Commission says the publications continue to appear across several social media platforms, prompting it to seek an urgent interdict. It has also asked the court to allow electronic evidence and, where necessary, service of court documents through electronic means because the respondents may be difficult to locate.
The matter was scheduled to be heard by the High Court on Monday.
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