By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Gideon Mhlongo, the Mbabane Municipality Chief Executive Officer(CEO) might go home as his contract of employment nearly comes to an end.

It has been disclosed that the CEO, a close ally of retired Principal Secretary(PS) Clifford Mamba approached the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development last month,seeking an extension of his contract, however, his request was allegedly rejected by Minister Prince Simelane.

As a result,and according to insiders,the Mbabane CEO might soon approach the King for kwembula ingubo(appeal to His Majesty) in an attempt to influence the extension of his contract.

A questionnaire was sent to the Mbabane CEO, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments, Makhosi Simelane, the newly appointed Acting Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development said he was away from the office for the past week and therefore, not aware what transpired in his absentia.

“I have been away from the office for the past week, will receive a briefing from the Under Secretary.I am not aware what is happening regarding the matter you are asking me about,”said the Acting Principal Secretary(PS).

Mhlongo was awarded a five(5)-year  ‘unlawful’ contract by the then PS Clifford Mamba and Minister of Housing and Urban Phiwayinkosi Mabuza, the ex-Minister was then rewarded with an abattoir business in Mbabane.

The Mbabane CEO’s contract that expire next month was allegedly renewed around July 2018 by the then Urban Development Minister much against a resolution by the Councillors that concluded that Mhlongo was costly for the Municipality, the Minister overruled the Councillors and granted Gideon Mhlongo a contract.

Efforts to reach Urban Development Minister Prince Simelane proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News on Saturday evening, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said the King was not in any way responsible for renewing contracts for Manicipalities Chief Executive Officers(CEOs).

“Renewals of contracts for municipality CEOs rests with the Minister for Housing and Urban Development after consultation with the relevant advisory team,” said the King’s Spokesperson.