By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: A bundle of documentary evidence exposes how Clifford Mamba, the influential,powerful and highly connected Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, systematically “appointed" himself as Mayor for more than two (2) towns with an alleged intention of controlling the sale of land worth millions for personal gain.

The documents suggest that the PS ‘abused’ trust and took advantage of Minister Prince Simelane who openly declared that he was ignorant and knew nothing about politics and/or public administration, and made him to sign appointments in which his name and those of his close allies with links to various towns were systematically included.

It has been disclosed that even though the appointments were made by the Urban Development Minister, the PS allegedly prepared the list and convinced the Prince to sign.

Legal Notice 332 of 2022 suggests that Clifford Mamba prepared and submitted the names of the Town Planning Board to the Minister; his name was included as the Chairperson of the Board.

Worth noting, this is the Board that is responsible for facilitating urban development and research,it reports to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and, administratively,to the office of the Principal Secretary(PS)hence, the appointment ‘generated’ a clear conflict of interest.

The Town Planning Board, working with the Human Settlement Authority, of which PS Clifford Mamba is also a member, deals with issues of ‘incorporating’ Swazi Nation Land (SNL) into towns, and those affected are normally compensated, while some are allegedly ‘robbed" of their land through hiked rates bills by a corrupt municipality syndicate allegedly linked to the PS.

Again, in terms of Legal Notice No. 476 of 2022, the PS allegedly ‘appointed himself’ as Chairman of the Hlane Town Board,other separate documents allege that he is the Chairman or Mayor at Vuvulane and Mhobodleni, among other towns.

It has been disclosed that these are some of the areas where land grabbing from the poor by the rich and powerful is rife and the mastermind, it is alleged, is Principal Secretary (PS) Clifford Mamba.

A questionnaire was sent to Clifford Mamba, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But an insider very close to the PS told this Swaziland News this week that even though there might be a clear conflict of interest,it would be very hard to challenge or hold the PS accountable because it was the Minister who made the appointments.

"In some of these appointments, you may find that it’s the law that allows the appointment. But of course, in some, it’s a clear act of corruption.The the question is, "who signed and made those appointments? Ngoba lentfo wena Dlamini kufuneka siyibuke nhlangatsi tonkhe kusayine bani?”,the insider within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Reached for comments, Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), who is a resident of Mbabane said the Principal Secretary(PS) might have taken advantage of Minister Prince Simelane,who declared that he was ignorant with regards to the operations of the Ministry of Housing.

"It is clear that the PS took advantage of the Prince who publicly declared that he was ignorant with regards to the operations of the Ministry and had put absolute trust on him and other officials for appropriate advice and guidance. We are aware that Mamba’s syndicate within the various municipalities is grabbing land from orphans and widows. Nasekufe labanikati balelikhaya sekusele umfelokati netintsandzane bafike benyuse lama-rates, khona utowehluleka kubhadala bese bakwemuka lendzawo bayayitsengisa. This man is greedy and corrupt," said the NNLC President.

Efforts to seek a comment from Minister Prince Simelane proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report, his phone rang unanswered.

It is alleged that PS Clifford Mamba informed some officials within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development that he met with the King a few days ago who assured him that his contract of employment had been extended. 

PS Clifford Mamba is due for retirement on or around the 20th May 2023.

“We are being bullied here when we question some of these things.A few days ago, the PS told us that he met with the King who assured him that he would get a three-year contract," said a senior official within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

But King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane, when asked by this Swaziland News on Sunday to clarify if the King has renewed the contract of PS Clifford Mamba or not,said he was not sure.

“I wouldn't be sure the paperwork for continuity reinstatement is done at the Civil Service Commission. Royal commands of this nature are communicated to the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.You will recall that employment files are confidential; kindly try the CSC Chairman," said the King’s Spokesperson.

Efforts to reach Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Simanga Mamba proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments, human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said the allegations against the PS were serious, the human rights lawyer suggested that he must be suspended pending an investigation.

“What we need to understand here is that, once you are appointed as Principal Secretary, Minister, or Under Secretary for that matter, your involvement in any public interests is limited and in the event an interest arises,you must declare it with the Human Rights and Public Administration Commission. The question that we need to ask ourselves with this particular PS is,did he declare these interests?.The conflict here is glaring because, as the Principal Secretary, you are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department,Ministers come and go.So if there are any allegations of corruption against a Principal Secretary (PS), it’s a serious offence, it must be investigated and an intervention must be made. In the process of the investigation, the Minister must suspend the Principal Secretary (PS) because the conflict of interest is clear," said the human rights lawyer.