By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Princess Lindiwe, the Minister of Home Affairs allegedly awarded an over R5million scaffolding tender to a company with linked to King’s Interpreter Sihle Dlamini.

Eswatini Scaffolding was awarded the tender to build ‘one day’ grandstands at Mankayane Sports Grounds for the recently held King’s Birthday Celebration in complete disregard of the Government procurement policies.

But the tender was part of the multimillion tenders allegedly grabbed by the Home Affairs Minister and subsequently awarded to companies with alleged links to the her politically connected Jesus Calls Worship Centre(JCWC).

As a result, Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg wrote a letter to the Home Affairs warning her against manipulating the procurement systems through a third party.

“It has been observed that, your Ministry conducts procurement through an agent or third party. This practice is contrary to the public procurement principles as stated in the Procurement Act 2011. This is tantamount to discrimination of suppliers. The restriction of procurement of activities for national events to one service provider is strictly prohibited,”reads the letter in part.

King’s Interpreter Pastor Sihle Dlamini declined to comment about the alleged corruption involving him and the Home Affairs Minister.

But the King’s Interpreter recently told church members to ensure that, tenders are awarded to their friends and fellow Christians, Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe and the King’s Interpreter are both members of the JC church.

“Once you are in power give tenders to your friends particularly members of the church. Don’t listen to the ‘nepotism narrative, there’s no nepotism when you award tenders to your friends and fellow Christians. This ‘nepotism’ narrative was specifically meant to impoverished the church. Touch your neighbor and say; Give tenders, give-tenders, give tenders”, said the King’s Interpreter.

Efforts to reach Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, the Home Affairs Minister is alleged to be awarding the tenders to companies linked to members of the JC for the indirect benefit of her husband Bishop Robert Kasaro and her family.