Minister risks contempt charges over CEO recruitment

MINISTER of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela may face contempt of Parliament proceedings for allegedly defying protocol by continuing efforts to recruit a chief executive officer for the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC).

This is because the minister insists on continuing with the exercise despite a House of Assembly resolution directing the ministry to halt the exercise pending finalisation of an audit and tabling of the report by Auditor General Timothy Matsebula. This was during the debate and adoption of the report of the ministry’s portfolio committee on the debate of the first quarter performance for the financial year 2025/26 yesterday.

In his response, the minister said according to their understanding, there was no parliament resolution stopping the recruitment. The minister was responding to a question posed by Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane who questioned why they continued with the recruitment exercise despite a parliament resolution directing the ministry to abort it. MP Zwane questioned why the recruitment of the ENPC CEO was ongoing yet parliament requested that it be stopped pending finalisation of the review of the ENPC investigation by the Auditor General.

“How is this possible yet there is a parliament resolution against such,” enquired Zwane.The minister stated that the ministry’s understanding was that these were two separate processes and parliament allowed that these processes proceed concurrently. “Parliament only requested that the ministry changes the recruitment agency which was done,” said the minister.

He added that the ruling was also that the review by Auditor General was to be completed within two weeks, however, they were now in the fifth week without the report. During the debate, MP Zwane said he was not satisfied with the responses from the minister and requested for the report to be passed with amendments. He said since there was a standing resolution, the exercise should be halted. “I acknowledge that they changed the consultant, but why not honour the recommendation as it was because the House was clear that the process should stop until the AG’s report was finalised and tabled,” he said. Committee Chairperson Princess Nkosungumenzi pleaded with the MPs to pass the report and asked to leave it to them on whether or not to include the amendments.

Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini said procedurally the chairperson should be clear whether she accepted the amendment or not. Speaker Jabulani Mabuza also advised that the report belonged to the chairperson and she should not pass on the responsibility to the ministry. Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba requested for clarity from the attorney general whether it was procedural to have two resolutions in one issue. Attorney General Sifiso Mafelenkhosini Khumalo clarified that once a resolution was taken, it was up to the MP to follow whether it was implemented or not. “Multiple resolutions will not help anyone,” advised the AG.

MP Zwane maintained that the ministry should stop the recruitment exercise stressing that it was unacceptable to implement part of a House resolution. Mimister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini said it was up to the Government Assurance Committee (GAC) to follow up if resolutions were implemented or not and advise accordingly. Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo said it would be a mistake for the minister blame the auditor general.
“Truth of the matter is that the minister is clear on this matter. The AG’s report is key and the minister knows that. Should we continue with the exercise, while the report is pending, utobe utitsela emalahleni yena,” submitted Khumalo.

The AG further advised that there were remedies available should the minister defy a House resolution such as contempt of parliament.
The MPs passed the report with the mater still standing and the GAC is expected to action the matter and advise the House accordingly.

Eswatini Observer Press Reader