Govt’s 15-member team to probe TLC

MBABANE – A month ago, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini announced government’s intention to investigate The Luke Commission (TLC).

This promise has now become a reality as Minister for Health Mduduzi Matsebula has set up a commission of inquiry into the operations of TLC.

Based on Legal Notice No. 144 of 2026, the probe team, appointed in terms of the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1963, shall have unrestricted access to the TLC health facility and all relevant departments.

The Legal Notice will be cited as the appointment of members on the investigation of the allegations of malpractice at The Luke Commission Hospital committee notice, 2026).

It must be said that the appointment of the probe team does not mean TLC is already guilty. Instead, the entity will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Meanwhile, Minister Matsebula has appointed a 15-member team drawn from various departments and disciplines, including medical doctors, law enforcement and Labour Department.

The team is chaired by Senior Medical Officer at Mbabane Government Hospital Dr Mbuso Dlamini and his deputy is Thabiso Dlamini, the Head of the Lubombo Regional Labour Offices.

The chairman has Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Witwatersrand. His deputy is a law graduate from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).

Other notable faces are Dr Nondumiso Ncube, the National Executive Director of the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS.

Dr Ncube is a public health specialist with combined experience in pharmacy, academia, health systems strengthening, clinical and public health research and programming.

Another one is Dr Makhosini Mabuza from the Medical and Dental Council, Thabang Masangane, a registered nurse in the Ministry of Health and Behlule Ndlela, a legal officer in the Ministry of Health.

According to the Gazette, the committee will perform the following functions –

(a) Have unrestricted access to the TLC health facility and all relevant departments;

(b) Investigate allegations relating to fees charged to patients, including –

(i) ascertaining the charging system and fees applicable to outpatient and inpatient services;

(ii) determining whether and the extent to which, demographic or income data are taken into account in fixing the fees to be charged to patients;

(iii) ascertain whether the government subvention of E50 million for the financial year 2025/2026 was disbursed and properly utilised; and

(iv) verifying the value, accountability, receipt, storage, distribution and utilisation of drugs and consumables received from the Central Medical Stores (CMS);

(c) assess whether existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and funding arrangements between government and TLC are consistent with national health policy objectives relating to affordability, universal health coverage and the constitutional right to quality healthcare.

The committee will also examine allegations concerning the improper handling, storage, identification and release of deceased persons and determine compliance with applicable ethical, professional and legal standards.

It is stated in the Gazette that the investigators will have access to digital and paper-based records, documents and where necessary copies as may be required for the purposes of the investigation.

They are expected to compel any person to produce to the committee any record, document or other information that it may reasonably require for the purposes of the investigation.

It will also investigate allegations that unqualified clinical personnel are administering medical services, including by reviewing staffing qualifications, licensing and professional registration of clinical personnel.

The probe team will review drug procurement, storage and dispensing of medicines. It will review allegations about the use of expired medicines or veterinary medicine used on patients.

In addition, the committee will conduct site inspections at TLC health facilities to verify compliance with national and international health standards, ethical health policies, practices and standards.

They will also engage stakeholders through interviews to gather evidence and perspectives relevant to the inquiry. Minister Matsebula was appointed to also investigate allegations of unfair labour practices at TLC health facility, including victimisation, underpayment, unavailability of pay slips, unpaid overtime, absence of employment contracts, non-remittance to Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) and non-payment of terminal benefits to ex-employees.

Upon completion of the task, the investigators will make recommendations in respect of the institutional structure and governance, financial management and procurement capacity necessary to deliver accessible, affordable and effective healthcare services.

Pertaining to its hearings, the quorum of the committee shall be a majority of its appointed members.

It is said that the chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the committee. In his absence, the vice chairperson shall preside.

According to the Gazette, the meetings of the committee shall be held at such place as the chairperson may determine. It is said that the notice of the venue, date and time of each meeting shall be given to every member of the committee.

It is stated in the Gazette that the committee may regulate the procedure to be observed at its meetings.

The term of the committee shall be three months, which shall be deemed to have commenced on August 26, 2026, unless its term is extended or the committee is sooner dissolved by government.

It is stated in the Gazette that the committee shall submit a report of the outcome of the enquiry and the recommendations to the Minister for Health, Mduduzi Matsebula and Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini.

The report shall be submitted within 14 days after the expiry of the committee’s term. The members of the committee shall be entitled to sitting allowances.

It is said that, where applicable, their travelling expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable Finance Circular.

Minister for Health Mduduzi Matsebula has appointed a 15-member team to probe TLC (Pic: Eswatini Government)

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