MBABANE:Gcinangaye Tsabedze, the Director in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs is facing removal, demotion or possibly transfer for allegedly working under the influence of alcohol.
An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, Tsabedze has been “absenting herself and in the event she reports for duty”, she would be allegedly drunk.
It has been disclosed that, efforts to engage her failed until the Administrators of the Toursim Ministry decided to report her to her employer-the Civil Service Commission(CSC).
Documents suggest that, on the 3rd September 2025, Nhlanhla Mnisi, the CSC Executive Secretary wrote to Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Khangeziwe Mabuza inviting her for a meeting whose agenda was to discuss the possible transfer of the Tourism Director among others.
“It is requested that the Principal Secretary appear with the Director, Under Secretary and the PHRO”, reads a memo in part, signed by CSC Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Mnisi.
But the meeting eventually took place on the 9th September 2025, PS Khangeziwe Mabuza was represented by Under Secretary(US) Hlobsile Dlamini however, a verbal showdown allegedly erupted between Tsabedze, the CSC Executive Secretary and other staff of the Secretariat.
The Director of Tourism blasted the Civil Service Commission for calling a meeting seeking to re-deploy her.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Sunday, Khangeziwe Mabuza, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism said, all Government employees are transferable, she then wondered “what’s the motive of those who informed this journalist that Tsabedze was reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol”.
The Principal Secretary said as the Administrator, even if there was a move to transfer Director Gcinangaye Tsabedze, she wouldn’t like to be seen damaging a Government employee’s character particularly because, Tsabedze was never tested or confirmed drunk through a breathalyzer.
“We all in Government are transferable at any point that’s normal,” said the Principal Secretary.
Efforts to reach Gcinangaye Tsabedze for a comment proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
But information reaching this publication suggests that, as the Director of Tourism, Gcinangaye Tsabedze was offered free accommodation, food and alcohol by various Hotels and other tourism companies across the country seeking Government favors through her Office.
As a result, she would therefore spend more time enjoying free alcohol, accommodation and food with her alleged boyfriends in the various Hotels without going to work.
But some gambling companies subsequently reported Tsabedze to Government authorities after she started to frustrate the process of renewing trading licenses, “fighting competition wars in favor of the tourism companies entertaining her with gifts and monies”.
Reached for comments by this publication, lawyer Simanga Mamba, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission referred comments to Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Mnisi.
“I am not aware and I can’t comment on a matter if it’s before the Executive Secretary, maybe if the matter has reached the Commission stage I would be having knowledge of it. For now, it sounds like a matter that is at the Secretariat stage, kindly contact the Executive Secretary,” said the CSC Chairman.
Efforts to reach Nhlanhla Mnisi, the Executive Secretary of the Civil Service Commission proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report, his cellphone rang unanswered.
On another note, Director of Tourism Gcinangaye Tsabedze was transferred from the State owned Radio Station to the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs after clashing with the then Director Martin Dlamini, she was the Deputy Director of the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services(EBIS).
Director of Tourism Gcinangaye Tsabedze(pic:supplied)