EMBATTLED Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo yesterday paid a visit to Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at the Cabinet offices.
This comes just days after the premier had announced that a verdict on the renewal of Nxumalo’s contract would be issued.
On October 19, in our sister publication, the Observer Sunday, the prime minister revealed that his office, together with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), was working to resolve the matter surrounding Nxumalo’s contract renewal, which has drawn significant public and parliamentary attention.
The PM assured that the decision would be finalised before the end of the week. When engaged following his meeting with the prime minister, Nxumalo described the engagement as an internal administrative matter.
“Well, other than the fact that this was just an internal routine administrative meeting wherein most housekeeping matters are discussed and aligned accordingly, I came at the Private and Cabinet Office today in honour of an invitation extended to me by the prime minister, not at my request,” he said.
Nxumalo added that only the prime minister held the prerogative to disclose the details of the meeting.
“He is the only one who reserves the exclusive right to share with whosoever he chooses the items of our discussions and their conclusions,” he stated. He, however, noted that the meeting had been both “cordial and candid.”
Nxumalo’s contract expired on May 13, and its renewal has since sparked debate within parliament and among members of the public, as he faces rape charges for allegedly contavening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act.
The matter, which is still before the courts, involves allegations that he sexually assaulted two siblings aged 17 and 18. Nxumalo has since appeared in court and is out on bail pending trial.
The Civil Service Commission had renewed his contract in September but placed him on special leave, pending the conclusion of the case.
When asked to confirm whether Nxumalo had indeed visited the prime minister and to clarify the purpose of the meeting, acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said: “We can only confirm that the prime minister’s office held a meeting with Mr Nxumalo, which was one of several meetings conducted today. Regarding the engagement of a government spokesperson, the public will be informed once a definite way forward has been determined.”
