By Zweli Martin Dlamini

HLANE: Clifford Mamba, the retired Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development invited Hlane Town Board Councillors to an urgent meeting to be held on Thursday.

Mamba convened the meeting despite the fact that, he was no longer the PS within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Reached for comments, Dr Simon Zwane, the newly appointed Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Housing said, he had just reported at work and yet to be onboarded.

“Morning Nkhosi.I have just reported at work and yet to be onboarded”, said the PS in a message sent to journalist on Thursday morning after being asked if he was aware of the meeting.

It is alleged that Mamba, who still commands some influence within the Ministry through some officials loyal to him, instructed Melusi Hlanze, the Community Liason Officer in the Ministry of Housing to call some Councillors for the urgent meeting.

A questionnaire was sent to retired PS Clifford Mamba, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

When questioned by this Swaziland News on Thursday, to clarify who mandated him to call the Hlane Town Board meeting, Hlanze clarified that it was merely a meeting for Councilors.

“It’s just a normal Town Board meeting”, said the Community Liaison Officer in the Ministry of Housing.

It is alleged that, retired PS Clifford Mamba has been conducting a vigorous lobbying to secure a new contract but, the King is alleged to have refused to influence a decision to renew his contract.

The retired PS is a subject of an investigation by the office of the Auditor General(AG), he allegedly awarded a R12million tender to Slomoes Corporation through corrupt means despite an administrative advice to the contrary.

But apart from that, Mamba, the then PS in the Ministry of Housing ‘appointed’ himself into various Town Boards by misrepresenting facts to Minister Prince Simelane who approved the conflicted appointments.