MBABANE: Siboniso Nhleko, the Elections Commission Lubombo Presiding Officer allegedly grabbed a ballox paper into his pocket in the previous elections, a former colleague alleges that this was for ritual purposes.
This was revealed by a very senior government official who worked closely with Nhleko during the 2018 elections, the official contacted this journalist after reading a story from this Swaziland News where Nhleko was accused of using corrupt means to remove a qualified unemployed teacher Sizakele Hlophe from the payroll of the Elections and Boundaries Commission(EBC), Nhleko was subsequently reported to Justice Minister Pholile Shakantu.
The unemployed teacher secured a temporary job with the EBC and went through all the workshop training to become a Clerk in the ongoing elections but Nhleko removed her.
“I was one of the Elections Officers working with Nhleko in the Lubombo region in 2018. Wake wadzabula ballox paper yinye simbuka wayifaka ekhikhini. Sasola-ke kutsi abetsengwe ngumunye walama aspiring MPs afuna kuyoyisebenta for rituals. If an investigation could be conducted that ballox number won’t be found. He is very arrogant and was employed by Ncumbi Maziya”, said the former Elections Commission Clerk.
The former Clerk said, Nhleko must be monitored as his decision to remove a person from the payroll, who appears in the system as employed by the EBC suggests that, he might take bribes and rig elections in favour of those who paid him.
Siboniso Nhleko, avoided questions from this publication when asked to comment regarding the matter.
On another note, on the issue of the unemployed teacher who was removed by Nhleko through corrupt means, Mbonisi Bhembe, the EBC Spokesperson said, he will consult with superiors and respond accordingly.
“I will check with my superiors from the HR office to ascertain what happened”, said the Spokesperson of the Elections Commission.
EBC Lubombo Presiding Officer Siboniso Nhleko.