Mbabane – A commission of inquiry has been established by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala, to look into issues of land management and governance concerns within the Hlatikhulu Town Board.
During a press briefing held at the ministry’s offices, Maphalala revealed that the decision follows allegations submitted to the Principal Secretary’s (PS) office regarding the illegal sale and disposal of government land, administrative irregularities, and a lack of corrective intervention by the Office of the Clerk to the Board and the Board itself.
A fact-finding mission by the ministry officials confirmed significant weaknesses in land governance practices. The Internal Audit Department has also completed a report recommending a comprehensive independent inquiry to address suspected maladministration.
The commission of inquiry has been constituted under the legal provisions of the Commission of Enquiry Act of 1963 together with the Urban Government Act No. 8 of 1969, which empowers the minister to appoint inspectors to assess a council’s compliance with legal obligations and establish a commission where municipal malfunction or malpractice is suspected.
Minister Maphalala stated that, considering the gravity of the findings, the government was obliged to initiate a transparent and impartial investigation to restore effective governance and safeguard public assets.
The commission will be chaired by Zandile Dlamini, who is the deputy attorney general. She will be supported by members Fikile Dlamini and Gideon Mhlongo, while Buhle Makhubu will serve as secretary.
The mandate of the inquiry includes examining governance structures, internal controls and administrative performance of the Hlatikhulu Town Board; assessing spatial management within the urban area and the rise of unplanned settlements; reviewing the enforcement of building controls and possible regulatory failures; investigating land allocation and sale practices, including any unlawful benefit by councillors, officials or individuals; and scrutinising processes related to valuation roll preparation and implementation. It will also consider any additional matters that fall within the scope of the inquiry’s purpose.
The commission will operate for one month from the date of its inaugural sitting.
Minister Maphalala urged residents, stakeholders and staff of the Hlatikhulu Town Board to fully cooperate with the inquiry. He said communication channels will be communicated with the public who may wish to come and make submissions with the commission in due course.
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