BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Government has moved to investigate a string of serious allegations levelled against The Luke Commission after former employees approached Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini with claims involving labour practices, patient care, medical ethics and governance at the humanitarian healthcare organisation.
The allegations, which Government has stressed remain unproven until subjected to lawful and independent investigation, were presented by a group of former employees who visited the Private and Cabinet Office on Monday, 10 August 2026.
Their decision to take their concerns directly to the Prime Minister has now triggered Government action, with appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities being engaged to examine the claims thoroughly and independently.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the accounts presented by the former employees were deeply troubling and could constitute matters of grave public concern if eventually substantiated through due process.
Government, however, made it clear that no conclusions would be drawn before the relevant authorities establish the facts objectively.
“The people of Eswatini deserve healthcare institutions they can trust,” Government stated, adding that protecting that trust required transparency, accountability and the courage to confront wrongdoing where credible evidence established that it had occurred.
FORMER WORKERS TAKE CONCERNS TO PM
At the centre of the matter are former employees who claim they experienced a range of employment and operational challenges during their time at The Luke Commission.
The organisation is widely known for providing healthcare and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable members of society, placing it in a position of significant public trust.
Government said this mandate came with an equally significant responsibility to maintain high standards of professionalism, medical ethics, accountability and respect for human dignity.
Among the issues raised were alleged breaches of labour legislation and established employment practices.
Former employees claimed there had been unlawful termination of employment, denial of due process, discrimination, victimisation and intimidation.
They further alleged that certain employees worked without written employment contracts and that some staff endured excessive working hours without lawful compensation.
There were also claims that workers were discouraged from asserting rights available to them under the country’s labour laws.
These remain allegations and have not yet been independently established.
PATIENT CARE CLAIMS RAISE CONCERN
Some of the most serious allegations presented to Government relate to the treatment and care of patients.
According to the statement, former employees alleged that expired medicines and food products had, in some instances, allegedly had their expiry dates altered before being administered or distributed to patients and vulnerable beneficiaries.
They further claimed that medicines intended for veterinary use were allegedly administered to patients by people who were neither doctors nor registered nurses.
Other allegations included claims that patients were sometimes retained in care for longer than medically necessary and that accepted medical protocols and professional codes governing healthcare practitioners were disregarded.
Government has not presented these claims as established facts, but said their seriousness warranted independent examination.
There were further allegations that some individuals allegedly performed clinical duties without the required professional qualifications or registration, while some employees were reportedly instructed to carry out medical responsibilities beyond their areas of competence.
Such claims, if proven, would raise significant questions around patient safety, professional accountability and compliance with healthcare regulations.
RACISM, INTIMIDATION ALSO ALLEGED
Former employees further alleged instances of racism, unequal treatment and intimidation within the organisation.
They also claimed there had been suggestions that legal remedies available through the country’s labour system, including proceedings before the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC), would be ineffective.
Another allegation concerned what former employees described as pressure to become involved in campaigns aimed at influencing Government funding decisions.
According to their account, staff were allegedly encouraged to lobby Members of Parliament, participate in public advocacy activities and help create negative perceptions of Government officials who were seeking greater transparency and accountability regarding public resources.
Again, Government stressed that these allegations would need to be tested through established legal and regulatory processes.
GOVERNMENT: NO RUSH TO JUDGEMENT
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Government adopted a measured position, emphasising that fairness must apply to everyone involved.
Mdluli said Government recognised that allegations could not automatically be treated as fact simply because they had been made.
“Government recognises that these allegations must be tested through lawful and independent processes. No conclusions will be drawn before the relevant authorities have had the opportunity to establish the facts objectively and impartially,” reads the statement.
This means The Luke Commission will also have an opportunity to respond to the allegations and clear its name against any claims found to be unfounded or misleading.
Government said the investigation should therefore serve two important purposes — protecting employees and patients where wrongdoing is established, while equally ensuring that an institution or individuals are not condemned without evidence.
REGULATORS, INVESTIGATORS CALLED IN
Government has since engaged the relevant regulatory and investigative authorities to examine the allegations “thoroughly, independently and without fear or favour”.
Where evidence establishes misconduct or violations of the law, Government said it expected appropriate corrective, regulatory and legal measures to follow in accordance with the laws of Eswatini.
The intervention places the matter firmly within formal accountability structures instead of leaving the serious claims to play out solely through public accusations.
Government said every liSwati, whether an employee, patient, caregiver or elderly citizen receiving assistance, was entitled to dignity, fairness, compassion and protection under the law.
“Behind every allegation is a human being whose dignity, livelihood and wellbeing matter,” Government said.
PUBLIC TRUST MUST BE PROTECTED
Government further emphasised that organisations entrusted with healthcare and humanitarian work occupy a special position because vulnerable people depend on them, often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
For this reason, every healthcare institution operating in Eswatini is expected to comply with national laws, medical professional standards, labour legislation and ethical obligations towards patients and employees.
Government said it remained committed to safeguarding patients, protecting employees’ rights and ensuring that organisations serving emaSwati operated with integrity, professionalism, accountability and compassion.
The investigation could therefore become an important test of the country’s regulatory and accountability systems, particularly in ensuring that serious accusations are neither ignored nor accepted without evidence.
For the former employees, the decision to approach the highest levels of Government has ensured that their concerns will at least be subjected to formal scrutiny.
For The Luke Commission, the process also provides an opportunity to respond and defend its record before competent authorities.
And for the public, Government says the ultimate objective is clear: establish the truth through due process and ensure justice takes its proper course.
“Government will therefore continue to follow this matter closely until the truth has been established and justice has taken its proper course,” the statement concludes.
The Government statement was issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli on 11 August 2026.
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