By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Clifford Mamba,the retired Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is allegedly refusing to vacate a government house situated at Queen Gate in the capital city-Mbabane.

It is alleged that,the retired and once powerful PS tried to use Liqoqo King’s Advisory Council member Chief Prince Jabhane to inform Sizakele Dlamini,the PS in the Ministry of Finance that,the King has signed a letter presenting the house to him but, the alleged letter “is nowhere to be found”.

Reached for comments on Monday evening Chief Prince Jabhane, the King’s Advisor said,he was aware of the matter but clarified that,it was being twisted as the retired PS only demonstrated a desire to buy the house from Government.

“I am aware of the matter but ayisiyo ngalendlela loyibeka ngayo.Wena nawucabanga iNkhosi ingamupha umuntfu indlu yaHulumende?.What I know is; he demonstrated a desire to buy the house from Government and as you might be aware,sometimes Government sells houses”, said the King’s Advisor.

A questionnaire was sent to Clifford Mamba, the retired PS in the Ministry of Housing,however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Sizakele Dlamini,the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance said,she will engage the Ministry of Housing about the matter and will then share an appropriate written response to this publication.

“I will have to engage with the Ministry of Housing first Nkhosi and then will share a written response tomorrow”, said the PS in the Ministry of Finance.

But an insider within the Ministry of Housing very close to the matter confirmed to this publication that,the retired PS has been refusing to vacate the house saying,it was a gift from King Mswati.

“You ask yourself when did he even met the King, uye nini kuyobonga ngoba phela eNkhosini kuyabongwa”, said the insider within the Ministry of Housing.

Responding to this 

Responding to this Swaziland News on Monday evening,Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said, he was not aware that, the King presented the Government house to Clifford Mamba as a gift.

The King’s Spokesperson said, the norm suggests that, if a retired civil servant “is still occupying a Government house” even after the expiry of the packing grace period, a rent must then be collected. 

“We have no record of a similar  presentation of a Government house to a retiring civil servant.We also are not privy to the circumstances that led to this alleged gift by the King.The policy we know dictates that after one's last day at work,Government allows for a packing period,at the end of which it provides transportation home for their personal belongings. After the packing grace period has expired and the retired person has not moved out,the occupant is forced to pay rent at a commercial rate.We believe the Ministry of Public Service which is responsible for housing civil servants will be able to come out and explain what exactly happened,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Efforts to reach Mabulala Maseko,the Minister of Public Service proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Responding to this publication on the subject matter, Apollo Maphalala,the Minister of Housing and Urban Development said, the relevant person who might be aware of what happened regarding the house is Dr Simon Zwane, the PS in the Ministry of Housing.

“I am still new in the Ministry Nkhosi and I think the PS can clarify what is happening regarding the house”,said the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Dr Simon Zwane, the PS in the Ministry of Housing had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note,the controversy surrounding the retirement of Housing PS Clifford Mamba erupted after he allegedly locked his office saying the King assured him that,he will renew his contract of employment,he later refused to vacant a Government house saying it was a gift from the King.