STATEMENT ON NEGATIVE WORLD VISION ESWATINI ONLINE STORY

World Vision Eswatini is dismayed by the online publication of a false and malicious story on 12th May 2021 in the Swaziland News.

Without any basis in fact, the article alleges that World Vision's Eswatini Country Director, Francis Dube “has been removed from his position” because of alleged corruption and an array of fantastical unsubstantiated allegations.

Let us set the record straight. World Vision's Eswatini National Director, Francis Dube, was not “removed from his position”. Instead, he in effect has been promoted, leaving his current position after successfully applying for another position with greater responsibilities in the organisation. Contrary to the false and malicious allegations in this article, Mr. Dube has served World Vision selflessly and with integrity for the last nine years, initially as Operations Director and later as National Director.

World Vision Eswatini is exploring all appropriate responses to this false and malicious article by all available means. We are committed to a safe workplace and deal with all allegations of impropriety according to Eswatini law and our organisational policies.

World Vision is a Christian, child-focused organisation that was established in 1950 and has been operational in Eswatini since 1992. Initially, World Vision’s work in Eswatini was focused mainly on emergency relief after the devastating drought that hit the country. In 1996 the focus shifted from relief to disaster mitigation, rehabilitation, and transformational development. In the last Strategy period of 2016 to 2020, World Vision Eswatini successfully contributed to the well-being of 250,000 children through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Livelihoods, Child Protection and Faith and Development initiatives.

World Vision Eswatini Spokesperson:

Ms. Lungile Zwane

Communications & Campaigns Manager

World Vision Eswatini

Phone: 2404 1102/6/9

E-mail: lungile_zwane@wvi.org

Mbabane,

ESWATINI