Mbabane – The Mbabane Municipal Council has dismissed allegations that Government overpaid approximately E2 million in rates, insisting that no such overpayment occurred and that Government has instead accumulated rates arrears.
The council’s response follows allegations by businessman Walter Bennett, who claimed that Government paid approximately E18 million against a rates bill of E16 million, leaving an alleged excess of E2 million that should have been refunded to the State.
Bennett questioned whether the money had been returned to Government, raising concerns about financial accountability at the municipality.
However, responding to a media inquiry from Independent News Eswatini on Wednesday, the council rejected the figures and the claim that an overpayment had occurred.
“ There has never been an overpayment by Government for her rates. Instead, successive years Government runs rates arrears on her account,” said Benedict Gamedze, the council’s Acting Public Relations Officer.
Gamedze added that the council could not disclose an individual ratepayer’s account details, but maintained that the figures provided by Bennett were inaccurate in terms of both the amounts involved and the alleged overpayment.
The council’s response places the disputed rates account at the centre of questions about the accuracy of the allegations and the financial obligations attached to the property in question.
Bennett also raised concerns about a Commission of Inquiry reportedly launched by then Minister of Housing and Urban Development Lindiwe Dlamini, who is now Senate President.
He alleged that information concerning the commission had been concealed and questioned whether its findings and recommendations had been made public.
However, the council declined to comment on the commission’s establishment, findings or implementation, referring the matter to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD).
“On the issue of a commission of inquiry, this is strictly on the MHUD’s purview. Please contact them for any information,” Gamedze said.
The council did not confirm whether it had received the commission’s final report or explain whether any recommendations had been implemented. The ministry’s response would therefore be necessary to establish the commission’s mandate, findings and the status of any recommendations.
The businessman further raised concerns about a woman who reportedly wants to recover a house belonging to her mother but has allegedly been unable to obtain the property following its reported sale.
The circumstances surrounding the property, including its ownership, sale and the woman’s efforts to recover it, remain unclear.
In response, the council said it had no record of a complaint from the woman.
“We don’t have any record of a complaint from the lady you refer to,” Gamedze said.
He added that if such a complaint existed, the woman should approach the council’s offices so that the matter could be heard and appropriate action taken.
The council’s response does not establish whether the reported sale took place or clarify the property’s legal status.
The disputed rates account, questions surrounding the Commission of Inquiry and the woman’s reported property dispute remain separate matters requiring further verification.
Independent News Eswatini sought the council’s response to the allegations to establish the facts and give the institution an opportunity to address the concerns before publication.
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