The Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) Secretary General Saneliso Mavuso says if it were up to them, the investigation team to probe The Luke Commission (TLC) would be multi-sectoral so that it cuts across and everyone is represented.
He said they could participate if government wanted to ask them questions, as they had heard from members who raised concerns about the operations of the facility, which might be useful.
Mavuso said some of their members who worked at the facility and are now employed elsewhere alleged that staff wore red t-shirts so that patients could not differentiate between doctors and other employees.
He said the former nurses also alleged that they worked in the garden, while support staff worked as labourers.
“They said they were told not to hide anything from other workers so that they could also learn how to use an injection. Before going about their duties, someone has to give the go ahead that things have been done correctly,” he said.
Mavuso called on government to conduct a thorough investigation and come up with strong recommendations so that the facility could be fixed for the safety of citizens.
He said government showing interest made them happy.
“There are professional employees there, but the policies seem to be the problem and this is what government has to uncover. This is an institution that helps locals and it should be investigated,” he said.
He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, TLC was made the leading organisation on vaccines. He added that there were comments made about the process, including allegations that medication was not being used according to professional standards.
He said there were allegations that some COVID-19 vaccines were put in a bucket and used on people two hours later.
“Professionally, vaccines were supposed to be removed from the ampoule and administered to the person immediately. They cannot be withdrawn and used two hours later. We called for an investigation even then,” he said.
Mavuso said an investigation should be done to ascertain what was happening at the facility, despite the fact that those raising the alarm had had their contracts terminated.
“The whistle that they have blown will help the nation investigate whether the required professionals were employed and working at the facility and whether standards were met, so that the safety of the nation is not compromised,” he said.
MPS PUSH MOTION ON TLC FEES
Members of Parliament (MPs) are expected to debate a motion to inquire about allegations of exorbitant fees charged by The Luke Commission (TLC) when providing medical services to citizens, despite government providing a subvention.
The motion is expected to be moved by Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla and seconded by Kubutha MP Masiphula Mamba. According to the motion, MPs will propose that the House of Assembly direct the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula to inquire and report to the House on allegations of exorbitant fees charged by The Luke Commission Hospital when providing medical services to the kingdom, despite substantial government support.
The MPs stated that this includes the E50 million subvention allocated by government in the 2025/26 financial year, the supply of medicines and medical consumables procured with public funds and whether the Memorandum of Understanding, Service Level Agreements, or Funding Conditions entered into between government and The Luke Commission still support the objective of providing affordable medical services to ordinary citizens, in line with government’s policy of universal health coverage and the right to health as envisaged in the Constitution.
The MPs further stated that the minister should table a report within 14 days upon adoption of the motion.
LEGISLATURE’S PREVIOUS SUBMISSIONS ON TLC
Senator Lizzie Nkosi
Senator Lizzie Nkosi once raised serious concerns over The Luke Commission’s repeated funding requests without formal agreements or clear plans for fund utilisation. The senator raised the concerns during the Ministry of Finance’s 2024/25 budget performance review and the 2025/26 budget debate. She highlighted that TLC had received E50 million that year alone.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini revealed that a draft memorandum of agreement between government and the health institution was being circulated. He questioned the terms and conditions of the funding and whether government was supplying medication to TLC at no cost while government facilities struggled for supplies.
Senator Chief Ngangabani
Chief Ngangabani asked Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg to reveal the owners of TLC. He questioned why government was putting money into the facility amid allegations that the minister was a member of its board.
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane admitted to being conflicted, noting that the hospital falls under his constituency. He stressed the need to ensure all laws were followed before approving the subvention.
Senator Chief Ngome Ndlangamandla
Senator Chief Ngome Ndlangamandla asked if TLC would continue requesting more funds and what their plan was moving forward. He said government assistance should be done legally to avoid setting a wrong precedent.
Senator Princess Ncengencenge
Senator Princess Ncengencenge questioned the process used by the House of Assembly to divert money to TLC when it was meant for Parliament and villas, saying there was no agreement.
Senator Siphelele Mkhonta
Senator Siphelele Mkhonta said he supports the TLC bailout as the institution serves many locals. He called for the Auditor General to follow up and report on how the funds were being used.
Sigwe MP David Ngcamphalala
Sigwe MP David Ngcamphalala said he visited TLC where 390 elderly persons received eye surgery. He said the House should find it important for TLC to be supported.
Motion by MP Marwick Khumalo and MP Nokuthula Dlamini
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, seconded by Maseyisini MP Nokuthula Dlamini, raised a motion of urgent public importance calling for the payment of E30 million to TLC within seven days and the appointment of a select committee to investigate bottlenecks between the Ministry of Health and The Luke Commission.
