By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Re-contracted Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo’s new contract is worth over R2million and Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini who is allegedly opposing it, does not have powers to stop or cancel the thirty-six(36) months contract at least according to an independent view shared by a legal expert-lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi.

This disclosure comes after the Prime Minister expressed serious concerns regarding Nxumalo’s contract renewal amid rape allegations and/or criminal case pending before court.

But the contract is alleged to have been renewed in compliance with King Mswati’s command even though King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane denied the King’s involvement in the process leading towards Nxumalo’s re-engagement as the country’s Spokesperson.

Eswatini women rights groups recently blasted the CSC for renewing the contract saying this will undermine the country’s international image particularly, on issues of Gender Based Violence(GBV) and women rights protection.

But the Civil Service Commission remains the Government employer and this means, even though the Prime Minister might express concerns after Nxumalo bounced back to power, “he does not have powers to overrule the CSC and cancel the Government Spokesperson’s new contract of employment.

As a result, Nxumalo is now entitled to about two hundred thousand Rands(R200,000.00) back-pay after the renewal of the contract that expired in May 2025.

When asked by this Swaziland News, to analyse the matter in the legal context, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, even though the Prime Minister does not have powers to overrule the CSC but, “he has the eright to raise concerns” amid Nxumalo’s rape allegations.

“He cannot overrule the CSC as he is not the employer but CSC is. But he has a right to raise concerns because the press office is at his offices and as a head of Government he is the image of the Government. So to have an alleged serial rapist as a Government Spokesperson taints the image of Government,” said the lawyer.

But it has been disclosed that, the Government Spokesperson is now entitled to over fifty thousand Rands(R50,000.00) monthly salary including allowances and the collective three(3) year-contract is worth over R2million. He will earn a monthly salary while sitting at home after being placed on “special leave” pending the conclusion of the rape criminal case against him.

Nxumalo bounced back to power after the country’s authorities allegedly ordered his contract renewal but, King Mswati is alleged to have warned that, “there should be no interference in the criminal case and therefore if he committed the crime by raping the children, he must be thrown behind bars”.

King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane previously told this Swaziland News that, the King does not protect individuals close to him who allegedly committed crimes.

This means should Nxumalo be acquitted or his case be concluded before the expiry of his contract, that would mean he will resume his duties as the country’s Government Spokesperson.

When announcing the renewal of the contract, CSC Chairman Simanga Mamba maintained that, “Alpheous Nxumalo has not been convicted of the crime he is charged with and therefore”, he remains innocent until proven guilty.

“Mr Nxumalo is innocent until proven guilty. Legally, the Commission has no legal basis to withdraw the offer to his prejudice. The contract is renewed and the Commission has taken a decision to place Mr Nxumalo on leave of absence pending his criminal matter in court as per the provisions of the General Orders that Civil Servants who are criminally charged are to be suspended pending finalization of their criminal proceedings. The Commission will await the outcome of the Criminal Proceedings to determine the future of Mr Nxumalo in the Civil Service”, said the CSC Chairman.