MBABANE: King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane says, the powers to terminate or prolong the contract of retired Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary is vested upon His Majesty the King.
It is alleged that the PS who earlier told officials within the Ministry that the King assured him that he will grant him an extended contract, is now at home and operations within the Ministry that requires the office of the Principal Secretary(PS)were halted after he locked his office.
Responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News on Monday,after being asked to clarify whether the contract of employment for the Principal Secretary(PS) has been extended or not, the King’s Spokesperson said he wouldn’t be sure why the PS was at home if it’s true that he was offered a new contact.
But the Director of Communications in the King’s Office clarified that most officers who are due for retirement,normally takes leave days towards the end of their employment contract.
“The norm is that he who appoints Principal Secretaries or any other civil servant or officer has authority to either terminate or prolong that person's stay in whatever position.In our case the King appoints Principal Secretaries in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission.We would not be sure why Mr Mamba is home as alleged after being offered a contract but from experience we know that towards the end of officers' employ days they take their remaining leave days,” said the King’s Spokesperson on Monday.
A questionnaire was to the PS, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
But a royal insider who is one of the King’s right-hand men, told this publication on Monday afternoon that currently, there were no signed papers extending Mamba’s contract.
The insider said the Civil Service Commission(CSC) was yet to meet His Majesty King Mswati for guidance over the matter.
“We have double checked with the Civil Service Commission,there are no signed papers to that effect.The Civil Service Commission is still to see the King over the matter,” said the royal insider.
It is alleged that the PS who retired on the 5th May 2023, locked his office about two weeks ago, he allegedly told some officials that he will bounce-back after meeting the King.
King Mswati.