Lobamba – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has asked the House of Assembly to extend by an additional 28 days the 14-day period initially granted to him to investigate allegations surrounding The Luke Commission (TLC) Hospital.
Matsebula made the request in the House on Monday, September 28, 2026, saying he had found that there was still a lot of work to be done before the investigation could be completed and a report tabled.
The House agreed to the Minister’s request, giving him an additional 28 days to complete the probe.
The Minister had originally been directed by Parliament to investigate allegations of exorbitant medical fees charged by TLC and table a report within 14 days.
Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga also sought clarity from Matsebula following reports concerning the appointment of a 15-member commission of enquiry to investigate the allegations at TLC.
Matsebula confirmed that he had appointed the 15-member team under Legal Notice No. 144 of 2026.
The team comprises members drawn from different departments and professional fields, including medical doctors, law enforcement and the Labour Department.
Matsebula agreed with the Deputy Speaker’s position, saying: “Uyahambelana, Mr Speaker.”
The investigation follows Parliament’s earlier concerns over allegations of high medical fees charged by TLC despite receiving substantial government support.
Among the issues Matsebula was directed to investigate is how TLC could justify the alleged high costs to ordinary citizens while receiving an E50 million government subvention for the 2025/26 financial year.
The Minister is also required to establish how medicines and medical consumables procured using public funds are being utilised at the facility.
The probe will further examine whether the Memorandums of Understanding, Service Level Agreements and funding conditions between government and TLC remain aligned with government policy on affordable medical care and universal health coverage.
Meanwhile, Nhlambeni Member of Parliament Manzi Zwane also asked the House for an additional 21 days on a matter concerning former mineworkers.
Zwane raised the matter on behalf of the Eswatini National Ex-Mine Workers Association, which has been seeking government intervention over welfare concerns dating back several years.
The association wants Parliament to investigate why recommendations contained in a 2001 parliamentary report on former mineworkers were not implemented.
It has also called for scrutiny of delayed compensation payments, including silicosis and tuberculosis compensation funds and Tshiamiso Trust payouts, as well as alleged misuse of chronic illness funds.
The petition further raises concerns about widows and orphans of deceased former mineworkers who are allegedly excluded from support programmes.
The two matters were considered during Monday’s sitting of the House of Assembly in the Third Session of the 12th Parliament.
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