MBABANE – Bonginkhosi Dlamini, the suspended investigator of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has challenged the employment of one of the entity’s senior officers.
This publication is in the possession of a letter which Dlamini has written to prominent persons and departments in the justice sector, including the portfolio committee of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
In the letter directed to the portfolio committee, Dlamini has said that he is formally lodging a complaint and requests its urgent intervention regarding what he has termed as irregular, unlawful and procedurally flawed appointment of his colleague.
The name of the senior officer has been withheld as the complaint by Dlamini remains allegations as they have not been proven.
Dlamini said it has come to his attention that the Acting Commissioner, Maphevu Mkhantjwa proceeded to appoint the senior officer through a process that he claims appears to be inconsistent with established public service recruitment procedures, principles of transparency and good governance.
He said the concerns giving rise to his complaint include that the position that has been given to the senior officer was neither advertised publicly nor internally within the civil service.
“No memorandum was circulated inviting applications from eligible and qualified candidates. This omission effectively excluded qualified individuals from competing for the position,” reads part of the letter.
Elaborating, Dlamini said the ACC falls within the civil service framework.
As such, he said, appointments should comply with applicable establishment circulars, government general orders and recruitment policies.
“The appointment in question appears to have bypassed these mandatory procedures,” Dlamini said.
He mentioned that there are reportedly qualified officers within the ACC and the civil service who were eligible for promotion or transfer to the position.
These individuals, he said, were not afforded an opportunity to apply or be considered, raising concerns of unfair labour practices and possible favouritism.
He alleged that the Acting Commissioner failed to consult the executive committee of the commission, which he said is inclusive of the commissioner and two deputy commissioners.
The omission, he alleged, undermines internal governance structures and collective decision-making processes.
He also alleged that the appointment letter indicates that the decision followed a recommendation from the Attorney General’s Office.
However, he claimed, such a recommendation does not override statutory recruitment procedures.
“The circumstances surrounding this recommendation raise serious concerns regarding undue influence, abuse of authority and possible corruption,” Dlamini said in his letter.
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