By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prince Lindani allegedly colluded with Swazipharm Director Kareem Ashraff in an alleged failed attempt to impose Prince Dzabulemanti as the new Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park(RSTP), an investigation conducted by this Swaziland News reveals.

It is alleged that, Ashraff whose companies were allegedly involved in the multimillion looting within the Technology Park under the administration of the then CEO Prince Vumile, approached Prince Lindani and urged him to convince King Mswati to appoint Dzabulemanti.

The alleged intention according to information leaked to this publication, was to have a new CEO who will then sabotage the looming forensic investigation commissioned by Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula.

Prince Lindani allegedly tried to manipulate King Mswati’s powers to force Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) Minister Savanah Maziya through Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini to employ Prince Dzabulemanti but this, was vigorously rejected by the ICT Minister who allegedly threatened to resign should the new CEO be imposed by royalty outside the corporate governance principles.

The Information Minister allegedly told Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini that, she will appoint a new Chief Executive Officer who will be recommended by the Board after passing interviews through a fair and transparent recruitment process.

But emails seen by this publication suggests that, the Auditor General has already commenced the process of awarding a forensic company, a tender to investigate the alleged disappearance of millions within the State owned Royal Science and Technology Park.

But the forensic investigation comes subsequent to a series of investigative articles published by this Swaziland News exposing the disappearance of public funds within the State owned company, it was further reported that, Prince Vumile, the then Science and Technology CEO was investigated by the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC).

Prince Lindani’s cellphone rang unanswered when this publication tried to contact him for a comment and, subsequent efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

But King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane when responding to this Swaziland News earlier clarified that, the King does not appoint CEOs for the State owned entities adding that, “it is the responsibility of the Minister to identify a deserving candidate” through clearly defined procedures.

Simelane was responding to a question seeking clarity, whether the King ordered the employment of Prince Dzabulemanti as the RSTP Chief Executive Officer.

“Our experience is that the King does not appoint CEOs on behalf of  ministries.It is the responsibility of each line Ministry to identify a deserving candidate through clearly defined procedures.We will continue to believe that this has not changed until there is evidence to prove otherwise,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.

Reached for comments on Monday evening, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, even if Prince Dzabulemanti could be employed as the new RSTP CEO, there’s no way he could succeeded in sabotaging the looming forensic investigation.

“A forensic comes subsequent to recommendations by the Auditor after the identification of irregularities and once the Auditor recommends a forensic investigation, there’s no way a CEO could stop that process,” said the lawyer.

SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff whose companies were allegedly implicated in the multimillion looting at the Science and Technology Park, declined to comment.

Prince Dzabulemanti avoided questions when asked to clarify his involvement and the alleged attempt to undermine the recruitment process within the Royal Science and Technology Park.

But a Board within the State owned company told this publication earlier that, “the process to employ a CEO is ongoing” adding that,Prince Dzabulemanti is among those who applied.

“He applied and forwarded his CV but the Minister made it clear that, as the Board we must work independently and recommend a deserving and qualifying candidate not because the person is royalty”, said the Board member.

Prince Dzabulemanti is the son of Prince Nqaba,the son of the late King Sobhuza and Inkhosikati LaFakudze.

On another note, Prince Nqaba was born from the Royal House of Prince Phocumtsetfo, Prince Makhukhumuka, Princess Ntfombindze and Prince David, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs who was later appointed as the King’s Advisor.