MBABANE:Appollo Maphalala, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development has directed Mbabane Councillors to prepare an employment contract for incoming Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Gciniwe Fakudze within two(2) weeks.
This comes after the former Matsapha CEO came first with 87% in recent interviews conducted by a Consultant but, some Councillors allegedly controlled by a clique of businesspeople in Mbabane,tried to reverse the decision and recommendations of the Consultant and reject Fakudze in favour of Nomvula Hlophe, a daughter to Liqoqo King’s Advisory Council member Moses Hlophe.
The highly confidential report of the Consultant suggests that,the candidate wanted by the Councilors who are against Gciniwe Fakudze, secured only 49% in the interviews.
But another confidential information of a recent meeting held by the Councillors suggests that, one Councillor suggested that, Acting Mbabane CEO Busangaye Masina must write to the Minister as a matter of urgency and inform him that, the Councillors “are divided” over the issue and therefore, he must exercise his discretion.
“The Councillors are divided, some want to implement the recommendations of the Consultant but those who are against Gciniwe want the third candidate who secured 49% kantsi Gciniwe utiphasele nga-87%”, said the source.
After this Swaziland News reported the story earlier on Sunday morning, members of the public flooded the comments section of this publication’s online platforms, welcoming the decision or recommendations by the Consultant to employ Gciniwe Fakudze as Mbabane CEO, some said Matsapha was far better during Fakudze’s leadership.
On another note,the correspondence between the Councillors and the Minister suggest that, the Mbabane Town Council was directed in February 2024 to implement the report of the Consultant and employ Fakudze,the directive was repeated recently with a two(2) weeks ultimatum.
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.
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 earlier on Saturday evening, 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.
Former Matsapha CEO Gciniwe Fakudze.