Lutfo appears before ENPF select committee

FORMER Minister of Labour and Social Security Lutfo Dlamini yesterday appeared before the House of Assembly select committee investigating the impasse that has left the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) Board of Directors dysfunctional for more than six months.

According to sources, the committee has already started its inquiry and is meeting with key stakeholders relevant to the matter.

Dlamini confirmed that he had appeared before the committee but declined to disclose details of the closed-door session. He said the committee had invited him to appear before it and that he attended in his personal capacity as a Liswati.

Dlamini said he shared his views with the committee, offered recommendations and urged members to treat the matter with urgency.

“His Majesty the King said the ENPF should function, grow and reach E100 billion. I applaud the committee because its work will help advance His Majesty’s vision while also providing support to the chief executive officer and the entire executive management,” he said.

Dlamini added that any further comment on the proceedings should come from the committee.

His appearance followed a formal invitation from Principal Committee Clerk Mpendulo Ngcamphalala, who wrote to him requesting that he appear before the committee on Friday.

In the letter, Ngcamphalala stated that he had been requested by the chairperson of the select committee, Marwick Khumalo, to invite the former minister to appear before the committee.

The letter outlined the committee’s mandate, stating that it had been appointed by the House of Assembly to investigate and report on the circumstances that had rendered the ENPF Board of Directors dysfunctional for more than six months, and to establish the origins of the governance impasse affecting the Fund.

It further stated that Dlamini’s experience and previous involvement in matters relating to the governance and administration of the ENPF made his contribution relevant to the inquiry.

“The committee considers that your experience and involvement in matters relating to the governance and administration of the Fund may assist Members in understanding the historical context and developments that may have contributed to the current situation. You are therefore kindly invited to share any information, records, observations or recommendations that may assist the Committee in discharging its mandate,” the letter reads.