MBABANE:Nhlanhla Mnisi,the Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Commission(CSC) has written letters,offering employment to aspiring fire fighters,some who does not qualify to be recruited within the Fire Department under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
These are findings of an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News amid public outcry subsequent to the Fire and Emergency Department recruitment conducted in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission(CSC), the Ministry of Housing was allegedly sidelined during the process.
It has been disclosed that, the entire recruitment exercise of one hundred and thirty(130) firefighters is worth over R400million and was marred by allegations of bribery nepotism and/or corruption.
Each fire fighter will earn nine-seven thousand and sixty Rands(R97,060.00) per-annum or eight thousand and eight-eight, thirty-three cents(R8,088.33) per-month and the monies when calculated until the public servants reach the retirement age, amount to over R400million.
Documents in our possession and/or obtained by this publication investigation unit suggest that, on the 5th February 2024, Nhlanhla Mnisi the Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Commission(CSC) wrote a letter to Mmeli Dlamini offering him the employment.
It alleged that,the Executive Secretary colluded with Chief Fire Officer(CFO) Luke Lushaba and other members of the CSC to orchestrate what appears to be a well-syndicated corruption linking the Department of Fire Under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Civil Service Commission(CSC),lawyer Simanga Mamba is the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission(CSC).
“I am directed by the Civil Service Commission to offer you appointment of Trainee Firefighter II in the Public Service of Eswatini on the following terms and conditions.Your appointment is subject to passing a medical examination, including an X-ray of the chest by a Eswatini Government Medical Officer”, reads the letter of employment in part.
Worth-nothing,Mmeli Dlamini and others does not qualify in terms of the employment requirements as advertised by the Civil Service Commission(CSC) in the local newspapers where it was stated that, aspiring firefighters must have at least a Form V or equivalent certificate with three(3)credits,Mmeli Dlamini’s certificate that he submitted to the CSC when applying for the job suggest that he does not have a single credit.
Reached for comments on Tuesday evening,Mmeli Dlamini confirmed that he applied for the job but clarified that, he was still waiting for a call from the Civil Service Commission(CSC) confirming his employment.
“It’s true that I applied but I haven’t received a call”, he said.
Efforts to reach Nhlanhla Mnisi,the Executive Secretary of the CSC proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
It has been disclosed that,some of the qualified aspiring firefighters who were sidelined in favour of those who paid bribes approached Chief Fire Officer Luke Lushaba formally this week, by handing over a letter of complaint, however, they were allegedly told that there’s nothing they could do.
“Our lawyer gave us a go ahead to speak to you so you can also work on the matter”,said one of the qualifying aspiring fighter fighters who was sidelined by the CSC and the Chief Fire Officer Luke Lushaba.
Reached for comments on Wednesday,Wander Mkhonza,the Secretary General(SG) of the Amalgamated Trade Union Congress of Swaziland(ATUSWA) said, Government must lead by example in promoting excellence.
“This means if the employment requirements have been clearly stated, only those who qualify should be employed.What is happening now where you find those who are educated languishing at home because of corruption and nepotism will not motivate young people to take education seriously. Educated people are unemployed but you find those with Smohlwana without education living a better life, what’s the purpose of education then?”, said the ATUSWA Secretary General.
Chief Fire Officer Luke Lushaba.