By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Pius Gumbi,the Eswatini National Petroleum Company(ENPC) Board member allegedly colluded with other members of the Governing Board to conduct a highly questionable investigation, with an alleged intention to systematically dismiss Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Nhlanhla Dlamini who vigorously opposed the inflated Taiwan R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve controversial Project.

It has been disclosed that, Gumbi was acting on an instruction allegedly issued by Natural Resources and Energy Minister Prince Lonkhokhela who, after firing the previous Board led by businessman Muzi ‘MA’ Dlamini, appointed another Board with individuals of highly questionable characters, to dismiss with the Chief Executive Officer.

The previous MA Dlamini Board working with the CEO, had identified an international company that agreed to construct the Strategic Oil Reserve with R2.2billion but, Natural Resources Minister Prince Lonkhokhela and Mswati allegedly grabbed the tender and awarded it to Taiwan and subsequently, the price was inflated to accommodate alleged shares for the King and others.

As a result, the controversial project is highly expected to dig deeper into the pockets of the taxpayers as the loan will be serviced with public funds.

But an audit and risk investigation report seen by this publication suggests that, towards the end of the Chief Executive Officer’s contract of employment, the new Governing Board launched a probe that defeats the fundamental principles of a fair and credible investigation.

The Board subsequently took a decision not to renew CEO Nhlanhla Dlamini’s contract based on a report and findings compiled by it but, the principles of a fair investigation suggest that, an investigation must be objective and impartial and that, a conflict of interest that might comprise the credibility of the findings must be declared.

But documents seen by this publication further suggest that, after conducting the investigation, the ENPC Board held an urgent meeting and resolved not to renew the CEO’s contract of employment.

The ENPC Governing Board that conducted the ‘kangaroo’ investigation include Velaphi Dlamini(Board Chairman), Prince Khetsimphilo ‘Fegufegu’ Dlamini, Armstrong Dlamini, Dumezweni Dlamini, Justice Dlamini, Mfanaleni Kunene, Thabsile Nkosi and Pius Gumbi who was allegedly influential in the whole process of investigating the CEO.

Reached for comments by this publication,lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said it was highly irregular for the Board to investigate the CEO instead of sanctioning or commissioning an independent and fair investigation.

“The Board cannot investigate and then take a decision based on a report compiled by the very same Board, this is highly irregular.Procedurally, the Board can only act based on a report subsequent to an investigation conducted by an independent entity, you cannot investigate and then take a decision based on your own findings. Even though the CEO’s contract has expired, he can challenge the report and set it aside on basis of procedural irregularity because as the report in its current form, might affect his future employment,” said the lawyer.

Board member Pius Gumbi was reached by this Swaziland News on Sunday but, he did not comment regarding the matter.

Efforts to reach ex-ENPC Chief Executive Officer Nhlanhla Dlamini proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, Members of Parliament(MPs) are highly expected to debate the R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve Project this week.