WHAT ROMANCE AT EXAMS COUNCIL?

MBABANE – Registrar of the Examinations Council of Eswatini Dr Edmund Mazibuko insists that he has never been romantically involved with a staff member at the institution he leads.

Dr Mazibuko says he is the subject of a smear campaign perpetrated by people who have an agenda unbeknown to him. In a report of the Select Committee probing the Examinations Council of Eswatini on allegations of gross irregularities relating to maladministration, production of results and other corrupt practices, Dr Mazibuko is also quoted submitting that allegations that he slept with staff were false. 

Reads an extract from the report, under Submissions by the Registrar: “According to the CEO, he has never slept or engaged himself romantically with or to any staff member let alone junior officers.”  

The report states that such claims were “purportedly being said by the Dr Dlamini-led team trying to discredit and bring down the name and dignity of the CEO, Dr Mazibuko.”

Dr Dlamini is Director of Research at the institution. However, he is currently embroiled in an Industrial Court case with his employer over allegations of misconduct levelled against him. 

Details of the romance allegations made against Dr Mazibuko were not included in the report. 

The allegations of romance at work, were also posed to Graphic Designer Sithembiso Mkhabela, who told the Select Committee that he was “not aware of any allegedly existing romantic affair between some staff members and the registrar.”

Denied

Rachel Hlengiwe Gumbi, the Product and Development Standards and Data Capturer officer Nandi Hlubi also denied knowledge of any affair between the registrar and staff members.

During an interview this week, Mazibuko said the allegations were unfortunate and made by people who had ulterior motives.

On another note, Dr Mazibuko also told the select committee that he had never influenced the hiring of staff by Kobla Quashie. 

“He believes that Kobla Quashie Consultants and Dr Sikhomba Gumbi Consultants can attest to such and he has never leaked any information or papers so to give advantage to those candidates who were supposed to be interviewed,” the report states.

Submissions by Alpheus Dla- mini, the Systems Analyst at the Examinations Council was to the effect that the registrar and the council were hiring people without involving line managers.

The Select Committee also heard submissions by former employee Sipho Kunene, who said he had been harassed by the Exams Council for misplacing or losing scripts. Kunene believes he was eventually dismissed by ECESWA because of bad blood between him and the registrar due to personal vendettas.

unprofessional

“While working for the Exams Council, he never at any given time conducted himself in an unprofessional manner. At some point, the registrar is alleged to have threatened to dismiss him because he was seen driving the institution’s vehicle after working hours. It was unfortunate that he was seen carrying a mobile phone in a secluded area where exam papers are kept. He alleged that it was not truthful that his intention was to take pictures of the examination papers,” the report reads.

Kunene submitted that he never stole the papers and was not aware if the matter was reported to the police.

Findings of the committee were to the effect that there is maladministration at the Examinations Council, which has led to conflict within management and staff.

“Above that, it was clear to the committee that the registrar’s leadership style is too autocratic, and this coupled with rebellious elements from staff further compounds the problems,” it said.

The MPs also said it was their finding that there was lack of cooperation, dispatching of information and working spirit in ECESWA. The committee then recommended that the registrar must have an open door policy by allowing line managers and staff members to voice their professional advises while carrying out the work of the institution.

“The Select Committee is mindful of the fact that the matter between Dr Clement Dlamini, who is the Director of Research at the Examinations Council is before the courts and the committee hereby recommends that the Ministry of Education and Training, the Eswatini Examinations Council and all parties concerned must within 30 days after adoption of this report finalise the matter by finding an amicable solution. This must be done to harmonise the situation and if need be, the director be re-instated to his position.”

The report of the select committee is yet to be debated in parliament before being adopted.

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