MBABANE – Embattled Government Spokesperson Alpheous Mfana Nxumalo has, for the second consecutive time, rejected a E1.2 million settlement.
The offer is from government, seeking to end its contract with him. Nxumalo has chosen to escalate his legal battle in the Industrial Court. Official legal documents in the possession of the Times of Eswatini reveal that he flatly turned down the lump-sum payout intended to terminate his employment contract by mutual consent. The rejection sets up a high-stakes legal showdown when the matter returns to court next Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Nxumalo’s legal representatives have made it clear that they intend to force government to reinstate him and pay out all backdated salaries before any future negotiations can take place.
The legal impasse escalated following a written offer dispatched by the Attorney General’s Office on May 20, 2026. The letter, signed by Senior Crown Counsel Henry Sibandze and Principal Crown Counsel Ndabenhle G. Dlamini, sought to formalise an oral offer extended during a previous court appearance on April 28, 2026.
“Our Client, the Government of Eswatini confirms the E1 200 000 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand Emalangeni) offer made in full and final settlement of the matter.”
The response from Nxumalo’s legal team, Magagula Attorneys, was immediate and uncompromising. In a retaliatory letter dated May 21, 2026, attorney P.K. Msibi confirmed that the government spokesperson would not accept the financial exit package.
“We are instructed to inform you that client has again rejected your new offer of paying him E1 200 000 as settlement of a proposed termination of his employment contract by mutual consent,” Msibi wrote to the attorney general.
Rather than walking away with the E1.2 million settlement, Nxumalo is digging his heels in, insisting that he remains the legitimate voice of government. His legal counsel emphasised that Nxumalo considers himself fully bound by his existing employment contract and is prepared to return to his office immediately.
According to the court documents, Nxumalo is pursuing an order for specific performance, a legal remedy that would compel government to honour the original terms of his employment contract rather than buying him out. Furthermore, Nxumalo’s legal team has drawn a strict line in the sand regarding any future out-of-court discussions.
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Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.