Lobamba- The House of Assembly Select Committee investigating Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) and Eswatini TV has uncovered a systematic breakdown in governance and administration at the two state broadcasters.
Employees are facing unpaid overtime, unresolved disciplinary cases, alleged victimisation, unequal access to international travel and shortages of essential resources.
The findings are contained in the committee’s report adopted by the House of Assembly on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following an investigation into the operational concerns at the two institutions.
Presenting the report, Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo, who chaired the seven-member committee, said the investigation revealed a breakdown that had contributed to declining employee morale and compromised public service delivery at the two state broadcasters.
The committee’s mandate covered labour practices, international travel and allocations, equipment and governance.
The committee was appointed by the House of Assembly and comprised Nxumalo as chairperson, Mtsambama MP Sibongile Mamba as vice-chairperson, Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla, Motshane MP Wilton Nkambule, Nkhaba MP Hope Shiba, Phondo MP Bonginkosi Dube and Nkilongo MP Sabelo “Petros” Sibandze.
It gathered evidence from station employees, senior management, the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ).
Nxumalo said the committee also held oral hearings involving Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Senator Savannah Maziya, the ministry’s Principal Secretary, worker representatives and journalists.
On labour practices, the committee found that employees routinely worked long and irregular hours, including during national events and elections, without timely overtime compensation or compensatory rest.
Nxumalo said employees reported that overtime claims were inconsistently handled, with some receiving payment while others did not.
The investigation also uncovered unresolved disciplinary cases, some dating back for extended periods, as well as allegations of victimisation and intimidation of employees who raised concerns about working conditions.
Nxumalo said even some of the 52 people who gave evidence to the committee were allegedly threatened after their participation became known.
“Ngumkhuhlane akasiyo health environment which you can work in it,” Nxumalo said in describing the working environment.
The committee also raised concerns over the treatment of EBIS as an essential service.
Nxumalo said employees were expected to perform duties associated with essential services, but when they were supposed to receive benefits linked to such work, they were allegedly told that EBIS did not fall under essential services.
International travel emerged as another major concern.
Nxumalo said the committee found allegations of favouritism to be true, with some employees allegedly repeatedly selected for international assignments while others were excluded.
He said some employees sent on international assignments were not adequately provided with accommodation and allowances.
The report also highlighted shortages of equipment and other operational resources at the two broadcasters.
Seconding the report, Mtsambama MP Sibongile Mamba said employees faced numerous challenges, including insufficient transport resources and having to use their personal cellphones to perform official duties.
Nkhaba MP Hope Shiba supported adoption of the report, saying the problems identified should be corrected.
Tsembeni MP Tsembeni Magongo questioned whether the concerns raised by employees had been addressed through the recent salary review for parastatal employees.
She also expressed concern that the Minister appeared not to be aware of some of the problems raised during the inquiry.
Welcome Dlamini said the findings were serious and called for sufficient time to address them, proposing that the institutions be given about three months to work on the concerns.
He also raised allegations that supervisors were allegedly given something in return for facilitating international trips, saying such conduct would amount to bribery.
The investigation followed a motion adopted by the House of Assembly on September 11, 2025, after concerns were raised over employee welfare, alleged unfair labour practices, favouritism in staff deployment and foreign travel opportunities, and poor administrative oversight.
The motion was moved by Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi “Mdockies” Hlophe and seconded by Sabelo Mtetwa.
The House adopted the committee’s report on Wednesday.
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