By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Gciniwe Fakudze,the former Matsapha Town Clerk is highly expected to take over as Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the capital city of eSwatini-Mbabane.

This comes after Fakudze,as per a confidential report released by a Consultant tasked with recruiting the new Mbabane CEO, came first and was recommended to take over the powerful position after the retirement of long serving Town Clerk Gideon Mhlongo.

But some Mbabane Councilors are reportedly attempting to prevent Fakudze from taking over the position,accusing her of being not fit to lead the capital city,despite having worked and accumulated experience as Matsapha Chief Executive Officer(CEO)for many years.

As a result,the investigation unit of this Swaziland News gathered that,some Councillors are digging Fakudze’s private life on social media with an intention to tarnish her reputation and justify that,she cannot lead the Mbabane city.

One Councillors is reportedly in possession of Fakudze’s ‘nude’ pictures that she allegedly sent to her ex-boyfriend,the name of the Councillor is known to this publication but cannot be revealed for now as efforts are being made to question him about his motive.

But it has been disclosed that,the Councillor who is Fakudze’s critic has been allegedly warned by senior Cabinet officials about the risk of leaking private pictures.

Eswatini Cyber Crime laws criminalizes publication of individuals ‘nude’ pictures with intent to tarnish their reputation.

“Write the story and expose because they just want to tarnish her reputation,she passed the interview and now some Councilors don’t want her to be the CEO.The question is;why did they engage the Consultant if the recommendations would then be ignored.The Minister told the Councillors to go and prepare an employment contract as per the recommendations of the Consultant”, said the Cabinet source.

On another note,the report of the Consultant recommended four(4) candidates with Gciniwe Fakudze as the first,Nomvula Hlophe as the second and others.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Saturday evening, when asked why the Mbabane Town Council refused to implement the report of the Consultant,Mbabane Mayor Vusi Wilson Tembe said,he can only confirm that the recruitment “is ongoing” adding that outcomes will be made public once the process is complete.

“What I can confirm Nkhosi is that the Recruitment process is still going on,the outcome will be made public once all the processes are complete”, said the Mbabane Mayor.

But the Cabinet source further told this journalist that, the Housing and Urban Development Minister Appollo Maphalala might exercise his discretion and implement the recommendations of the Consultant’s report,should the Councillors continue with their move to play dirty and reject the recommended candidate.

“Sesaphephela lakuwe, kumbe wena utayikhipha lendzaba,this matter is very serious because,it demonstrates that even if a person can qualify for a job, others might just abuse their powers and reject that person.One Councilor even browsed Instagram trying to get Gciniwe’s questionable pictures,he then reportedly said Gciniwe is a friend to Clifford Mamba and Gideon Mhlongo. She is a former Matsapha CEO and there’s no way she could have worked without knowing her colleagues and superiors”, said the Cabinet source.

Efforts to seek a comment from Housing and Urban Development Minister Apollo Maphalala proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments by this publication,human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi urged the Councillors to exercise their powers diligently and/or without being personal to the recommended candidates.

“The Urban Government Act enjoins councilors to appoint the CEO subject to the Minister’s approval. It is not the other way round.The Councillors should of course exercise their powers diligently.They must have lawful reasons for rejecting a candidate other than personal things.The minister should also not interfere with council matters. In short the municipality Councillors must discuss the selected candidates then vote on the name they recommend for appointment to the Minister”, said the human rights lawyer.

Responding to this publication on Saturday evening, Gciniwe Fakudze said, she can’t comment regarding the latest developments as “she is currently employed adding that,the matter is being discussed in other forums”.

The former Matsapha CEO who might soon lead the capital city is currently employed by MTN Eswatini as Lead Customer Experience.

“It’s difficult for me to comment Nkhosi because I’m currently employed and I must inspire and maintain confidence with my current employer. The matter you are asking me about is discussed in other forums so it’s difficult to comment”, said the former Matsapha CEO.