By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prince Dzabulemanti, the royal family is allegedly favoured by King Mswati and Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to take over as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) allegedly failed interviews conducted by the Governing Board, confidential information obtained by this publication suggests.

It has been disclosed that, King Mswati is allegedly behind the delay in the appointment of the new RSTP CEO, he allegedly “wants a trusted royal family member to take over the position previously occupied by Prince Vumile Dlamini” who left the organization under a cloud of controversy, facing fraud and corruption allegations involving millions of public funds.

Prince Dzabulemanti is the son of Prince Nqaba, the son of the late King Sobhuza and Inkhosikati LaFakudze.

On another note, Prince Nqaba was born from the Royal House of Prince Phocumtsetfo, Prince Makhukhumuka, Princess Ntfombindze and Prince David, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, now serving as the King’s Advisor.

It has been disclosed that, before Incwala ceremony and/or around October 2024, Prince Lindani allegedly approached his father King Mswati on behalf of his brother Prince Dzabulemanti for a royal command directing Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to employ the Prince as the new CEO of the Science and Technology Park.

But the delay in the appointment of the CEO has been dragging for almost two (2) years now, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Minister Savannah Maziya subsequently told Parliament that, the Prime Minister “has been preventing or frustrating” her from appointing a new CEO who passed interviews and recommended by the Governing Board.

“I am still waiting for the Prime Minister to tell me who to hire as the CEO at RSTP” the ICT Minister told Parliament.

But after the ICT Minister addressed Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding this matter, Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo urged Parliament to consider freezing the budget for all State companies operating without CEOs and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), citing vulnerability of public funds to looting and/or misappropriation.

It is alleged that, King Mswati played double standards in this regard, directing the ICT Minister to ensure that a qualified and competent professional is employed to head the RSTP but on the other hand, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini was ordered to “ensure that Prince Dzabulemanti who failed interviews is employed”.

The Prime Minister was allegedly warned not to dare mention or involve the King in the controversy but, use his power as the ‘Head’ of Government or Chairman of Cabinet when implementing the King’s order.

“In fact both the PM and DPM Thuli Dladla were ordered to communicate the royal order to the ICT Minister and engage her but, Savannah refused watsi ngeke kwenteke loko kutawubekwa CEO lophase ema-interviews and recommended by the Board. Watsi nangabe le-order ibuya eNkhosini mbamba angamane ayekele lokuba ngu-Minister.The Minister made it clear that, she “wants someone” who will transform the Technology Park and develop the country digitally”, said the royal insider.

But King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane when responding to this Swaziland News clarified that, the King does not appoint CEOs for the State owned entities adding that, “it is the responsibility of the Minister to identify a deserving candidate” through clearly defined procedures.

“Our experience is that the King does not appoint CEOs on behalf of Ministries. It is the responsibility of each line Ministry to identify a deserving candidate through clearly defined procedures. We will continue to believe that this has not changed until there is evidence to prove otherwise,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Both Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli and Prince Dzabulemanti were not available for comments regarding this matter.

It is alleged that, the Information Minister went as far as thretening to resign if the Prime Minister continues to interfere with her administrative duties within the Ministry.

Reached for comments by this publication earlier, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi applauded the Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) Minister for rejecting the candidate imposed by the Prime Minister adding that, Savannah Maziya has demonstrated understanding of the principles of Corporate Governance.

“This is a clear demonstration that the Minister understands the principles of good governance because recruitment must be conducted by the Board.It is the Board that identifies a vacancy and the Board can fill that vacancy by hiring an independent consultant and then recommend the deserving candidate to the Minister for appointment. It is dangerous to impose a candidate because what if that candidate does not qualify and is incompetent?”, said the lawyer.