Over E1 million was paid to a company owned by the wife of the Hlatikulu Town Board accountant through a supply tender that has allegedly been renewed for six years without going to open bidding.
This was revealed yesterday during proceedings of the Commission of Enquiry probing allegations of maladministration and irregularities in the administration of the Hlatikulu Town Board.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
The Commission is chaired by Zandile Dlamini, and other panelists include former Mbabane City Chief Executive Officer Gideon Mhlongo, Fikile Dlamini, and Buhle Hlanze.
The probe heard that massive contracts to supply protective clothing were awarded to a company owned by the wife of the Town Board accountant, Artwell Dlamini.
Lindelwa Mamba, the only Director of Lindz Botique, confirmed that her company was awarded a tender to supply protective clothing to the Town Board after she responded to an advert placed in the media around 2018.
She told the Commission that after submitting forms relating to the tender, she received a call from the Town Clerk, Bongani Dlamini, informing her that her “application” was successful. However, she testified that she never went through any interview before being awarded the tender. She said she only supplied documents relating to her company alongside the forms she was made to fill in.
“There were many of us who filled the forms, but I never went through any interview process,” she said.
Mamba is a prominent Hlatikulu businesswoman and singled out a restaurant at the Hlatikulu Galp Filling Station among her other businesses. Regarding her dealings with the Hlatikulu Town Board, she said that in the subsequent years after being awarded the tender, she would only receive a phone call from the town clerk inviting her to sign another contract, implying that the contract would be renewed without bid.
“I would only go to sign the contract after being invited by the clerk,” she said.
The company is still doing business with the Town Board, evidenced by a contract allegedly signed in May this year. The woman had initially denied that she was still doing business with the board but later changed her statement to acknowledge the contract.
“I had forgotten about it because I am too busy. I do not do business with only the Town Board; there are other businesses I am running,” she said.
Regarding the current year’s contract, she testified that the documents were brought to her by someone sent by the clerk. She said no formal bid was done for the tender again and that she would receive orders for supplies through phone calls, then proceed to the board offices to enquire about different sizes.
ALSO READ | PM urges nation to unite against crime
Mamba’s testimony was marked by conflicting descriptions of events and evasive answers, repeatedly stating that she did not want to commit to anything she was not certain about.
An example was when she could not clarify whether she owned any land or immovable property around Hlatikulu.
“All I know is that I have a home, and it is situated around Sibetsamoya (a Hlatikulu residential area). I do not know if the home falls under the jurisdiction of the town,” she said.
She also told the Commission that she was uncertain whether the home was bought or constructed, saying her husband was better placed to provide an explanation.
Although there is no legislation prohibiting local government entities from making awards to suppliers in which close family members of employees or councillors have an interest, a public administration expert said such awards create conflicts of interest.
“The possibility of undue influence cannot be discounted, especially if the person could have influenced the procurement process for these awards, potentially creating opportunities for irregularities,” said the expert.
While Mamba confirmed that the town clerk knew she was related to an employee at the Town Board, she said her husband would only be informed when she had been awarded a contract.
Accountant Declines to Testify in Public, Media Denied Access
Hlatikulu Town Board Accountant Artwell Dlamini declined to testify in public, insisting that the media be removed before he could provide information.
This happened during a sitting for the Commission of Enquiry probing allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the administration of the Hlatikulu Town Board.
Dlamini, whose wife allegedly benefitted from a E1.2 million tender for supplying protective clothing over the past seven years, offered to testify only in a setting without the media.
Despite repeated explanations by the panel that the enquiry was open to the public, Dlamini insisted on testifying without the media present. He threatened to remain silent if the Commission insisted otherwise.
Following his request, Dlamini was granted his wish and testified on camera only. It was unclear why he declined to testify publicly.
Dlamini was called after his wife concluded her testimony. Upon taking the stage, he asked if the Commissioners knew all the people present, and when one member confirmed, he raised concerns about the media’s presence.
The Commissioners emphasized transparency, noting the enquiry was public. Nonetheless, Dlamini insisted on privacy, prompting the media to leave for the session to continue.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
