MBABANE:Peter Simelane, the Swazimed Chief Executive Officer(CEO) attempted to fire Board member Sibusiso Nhleko amid demand for accountability of public funds within the country’s largest medical scheme.
Sibusiso Nhleko is Eswatini MTN Head of Corporate Services and, is serving as a Board member representing companies whose employees contribute millions to Swazimed.
But according to emails seen by this Swaziland News,the medical has been facing financial challenges and as a result, some clinics including South African private hospitals were no-longer accepting patients with Swazimed Medical Aid cards.
This resulted to the Board of Directors taking action and demanding accountability of public funds from the CEO who responded by attempting to fire Sibusiso Nhleko, an influential member of the Governing Board.
But it remains unclear how the CEO who accounts to the Board in terms of Corporate Governance principles, assumed powers to fire or dissolve the Governing Board amid demand for accountability of the public funds.
Peter Simelane declined to respond and clarify the matter when contacted by this publication.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Monday afternoon, Sibusiso Nhleko said even though he was willing to speak about the challenges within Swazimed, he can’t comment “as Board Chairperson Sammy Dlamini is authorized to speak to the media” about the issues.
“Even though I’m willing to speak to you about what is happening at Swazimed but I can’t comment as only the Board Chairperson is authorized to speak to the media about such issues”, said the Eswatini MTN Head of Corporate Services.
Responding to this publication on Monday evening, Sammy Dlamini, the Swazimed Board Chairperson confirmed that, “there are challenges within Swazimed that were being addressed internally”.
Dlamini then asked this journalist to be patient while the Board of Directors addresses these issues which he was reluctant to mention.
“But I can clarify that Sibusiso Nhleko is still a Board member at Swazimed, let me be clear on that, Nhleko will attend all Board meetings.Secondly, we had challenges of late payments at Swazimed but those issues were addressed and members are now using their Medical Aid cards without any inconvenience.Lolokunye-ke Mlangeni longibuta ngako ngicela ume kancane ngoba sisakusebenta internally and I cannot confirm anything for now,” said the Swazimed Board Chairman.
Sammy Dlamini also serves as the Public Service Pension Fund(PSPF) Board Chairperson and,is known for being strict on corporate governance and accountability of public funds.
On another note,Peter Simelane, the Swazimed CEO is accused of collapsing the medical scheme and looting of public funds but, insiders told this publication that,the Board is vigorously working towards ensuring that, Swazimed remains active and credible.
Emails seen by this publication suggest that, the Board of Directors will hold another meeting on Friday, the 14th March 2025 at the Hilton Hotel-Mbabane to discuss the challenges at Swazimed.
Swazimed Board member Sibusiso Nhleko(pic:Observer).