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 Gciniwe Fakudze, according to a confidential report released by a consultant tasked with recruiting the new Mbabane CEO, came first and was recommended to take over the 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 vast experience after working as Matsapha CEO for many years.
As a result, this publication 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 and, has been allegedly warned by Cabinet sources who leaked the information to this journalist about the plot to prevent Fakudze from taking over the position.
Cyber Crime laws criminalizes publishing 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 Council was refusing 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.
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,human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi urged the Councillors to exercise their powers diligently without being personal to the recommended candidate.
“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 counselors must discuss the selected candidates then vote on the name they recommend for appointment to the Minister”, said the lawyer.
Gciniwe Fakudze said, she can’t comment regarding the latest developments as she was currently employed
Gciniwe Fakudze might take over as Mbabane CEO.