Times Of Swaziland: UNDER SEC CAN CONFESS TO COPS IF STRESSED - PS

UNDER SEC CAN CONFESS TO COPS IF STRESSED - PS
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Mbongiseni Ndzimandze on 19/05/2022 08:55:00


MBABANE – “May I clarify that the matter is with the police. I have no
control on their investigations, but if she feels strongly about the allegations
she may go and confess to the police in order to release stress she is suffering
from.”
These submissions were made by Principal Secretary (PS) in the Deputy Prime
Minister’s Office, Makhosini Mndawe in the matter where he has been taken to
court by the Under Secretary Hlobisile Dlamini. In her papers, Dlamini alleged
that the PS had caused a toxic and unworkable environment as well as an
unhealthy working relationship in the office. Dlamini is seeking an order to
stop the PS from calling her to an investigation. She wants the court to stop
the PS from proceeding with the intended investigation pending the hearing and
finalisation of the grievances she lodged against the PS.
Labour
She wants an independent labour practising law attorney to be appointed to hear
and determine the grievance that she lodged against Mndawe. In his answering
affidavit, Mndawe averred that the allegations against the US were not
administrative but bordered on forging and uttering, failure to follow
government procedure which led to financial loss of government funds,
overpricing and services among other things. “I have had a cordial
relationship with the applicant but our source of trouble started when it came
to my attention that the applicant was engaging suppliers without following
procurement procedures and section 77 of the Constitution that requires that all
agreements for the provision of services should be vetted by the Attorney
General,” submitted Mndawe.
The PS  brought it to the attention of the court that he had attached a copy of
one of the policy formulated by Cabinet which was a working tool for ministries
dealing with procurement procedures, that Dlamini must explain if she followed
it, taking cue from her colorful curriculum vitae. It was further his submission
that the US ought to give an explanation on the forging and uttering
allegations. “Furthermore, it came to my attention that she engaged Slomoes
Corporation without following laid down procedure. Our good relationship started
to be sour after I questioned her about these anomalies. I have no doubt that
had the allegations as formulated responded to, we would be in good terms and
she would not be suffering stress. As to why she is stressed when she could
easily respond to the allegations is another mystery,” argued the PS.
Mndawe submitted that he was devastated by the alleged lies peddled by the
applicant with no iota of evidence. He dismissed the allegations by the US that
he caused a story to be published by The Independent News and Sunday Observer or
any newspaper. The PS said he guessed that the US would accuse him in the
replying affidavit that it was him who had published the current matter in the
newspaper yet it was her who moved the application, when it was not a smart move
to do so. He told the court that the applicant could not claim that she had been
defamed.
Suspected
Mndawe further submitted  that in fact he suspected that the applicant was the
one who went to the newspapers with the intention to defame him, but the
journalists reported on what was available to the inclusive of the auditor’s
report.   He claimed that the applicant wanted to defame him. “I can only
speculate that during the interview she was busy saying, “...No besides
that” or “As I was saying”, taking into account how she is so engrossed on
her curriculum,” submitted the PS. It was further Mndawe submissions that the
junior staff in the DPM’s office would respect the US once she addresses the
elephant in the room. He alleged that the US was busy gloating about her work
experience but failed to address the elephant in the room regarding the
allegations. The matter is still pending in court and appearing for the
applicant is Derrick Jele of Robinson Bertram while the respondents are
represented by Assistant Attorney General Mbuso Simelane.