MBABANE: Subsequent to the series of articles published by this Swaziland News, the Mayor of the Mbabane Municipality has released a statement confirming that Housing and Urban Development Minister Prince Simelane ‘refused’ to approve the renewal of out-going Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Gideon Mhlongo.
It has been disclosed that Mhlongo requested that his contract be renewed to December 2023, with the hope that at least, by that time his ally Clifford Mamba would have bounced back as a Principal Secretary(PS).
Clifford Mamba, the alleged “god father” of a powerful corrupt syndicate of Town Clerks in the country, retired in May 2023 leaving some of his CEOs vulnerable to be held to account on certain irregularities.
A questionnaire was sent to Mbabane CEO Gideon Mhlongo, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
In a public statement released on Tuesday, the Mayor of the Mbabane City claims, the request for Mhlongo’s contract renewal was meant to ensure a smooth transition within the Manicipality.
“After considering the above factors, it was Council’s view that a short extension of the current CEOs employment contract to December 2023 would lead to a more stable transition. Council presented its proposal to the Minister in writing and met the Minister. Council has since received the Minister’s response who has advised Council to proceed with the recruitment and that upon the incumbent CEO contract termination, acting appointments from EXCL be made on a rotational basis,” reads the statement in part.
Efforts to reach Urban Development Minister Prince Simelane proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
The fall of influential, powerful and politically connected Mbabane CEO, a close ally of retired PS Clifford Mamba might bring to an end grabbing of belonging to orphans and widows, the land was sold to the rich and powerful.
Minister Prince Simelane and Gideon Mhlongo.