Mbabane: On the 14th of April 2023 , the parliament held a seat down meeting with members of parliaments and various ministries to discuss issues of the country and part of the discussion was the calamity that has taken a huge toll on the University of Eswatini.
The UNESWA is known and respected for its level of learning and the qualification which is highly recognised, however current events have shown otherwise. The member of parliament of the constituency of Ndzingeni , Lutfo Dlamini raised the issue that the Institution was not transparent enough about the allocation of funds that goes into the institution and highlighted the institution is supposed to submit financial audit statement to the parliament annually . ‘’ I plead the auditor to do the job in the interest of transparency,’’ said Dlamini. According to Dlamini the ministry of education needs to adhere to section 28 (subsection 5) which vividly states that annually the auditor needs to submit the audited financial statement.
Dlamini made reference to the current strikes that are happening at this prestige university , workers and employees of the University of Eswatini are constantly lamenting about financial related issues . As mentioned by this member of parliament at the seating , every year millions of tax money are being pumped which is why he was requesting the audited financial report . “ This is in the interest of transparency , we are interested in the openness, ‘’ Stated Dlamini. He stated that the audit report will go as far as benefitting the Minister of Finance.
He further highlighted that to audit any institution is compulsory in the country. ‘’When the report arrives , we need to take action to relive or rather bring life to the university , ‘’ he entailed . He said this under impression that the University of Eswatini is gradually losing its value which begs the question ,will these qualifications be recognised by employers in the industry ? He said this evaluating the closure and inconsistencies that the university been encountering which has to do with finances and as a result bringing education in question.
When reached for comments , Dr Salebona Simelane who is the Registrar to the University of Eswatini says the institution submits the financial audit yearly to the parliament. “ We submit the financial audit to the ministry of education, the parliament , ministry of finance and the cabinet ,’’ said Simelane. According to the registrar of the university , the delivery book confirms their last submission which was on the 31st of March 2022, marking the end of the year. He highlighted they are currently working on the next audit. “Our audit is done by an internationally recognised firm of Auditors , SNG Grant Thornton , we use professionals to audit,’’ he stated and further outlined the university was more than okay to have visitations in terms of checking their books.
In a Post Budget Seminar which was held a month ago by the Central Bank Of Eswatini in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other important stakeholders in discussion of the nation’s budget plan. The Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg addressed the issue of transparency , elaborating that when it comes to the country’s budget plan and the allocation of these funds , the minister highlighted that he fully subscribes to the notion that as a country there should be transparency . This plays a major role in reducing corruption in the country. “Do more in the light , making sure that corruption doesn’t take place ,“ he stated . According to the Hon Minister, the government has good intensions and tries by all means necessary to avoid corruption.
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