Mbabane – Parliament’s Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Portfolio Committee has warned that it will not tolerate any attempt to appoint a Managing Director at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) outside established legal and governance procedures.
Speaking during the announcement of Thulani Fakudze as the new Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) Managing Director on Thursday, ICT Portfolio Committee Chairperson Charles Ndlovu said the appointment at EPTC demonstrated how leadership positions should be filled through lawful channels.
Ndlovu said only candidates recommended through the appropriate governance structures should be considered for appointment, adding that Parliament would closely monitor developments at RSTP amid reports that a new Managing Director could be appointed without following the required procedures.
“We issue a stern warning that such practices must stop. As the ICT Portfolio Committee and Parliament, we will not allow governance procedures to be undermined,” said Ndlovu.
He said a Managing Director appointed through the correct legal instruments is accountable to the appointing authority and can be measured against clearly defined targets and performance expectations.
According to Ndlovu, proper appointment processes enable ministers and boards to hold executives accountable when they fail to meet agreed objectives. He said this accountability becomes difficult when individuals are placed in positions without following prescribed procedures.
“How can an individual who has been appointed unlawfully be held accountable? Governance structures exist for a reason, and they must be respected,” he said.
The committee chairperson stressed that if any Cabinet submission relating to the appointment of an RSTP Managing Director is required, it must follow established channels and be supported by the board’s recommendations.
He added that Parliament would hold Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya responsible for ensuring that all legal and administrative requirements are followed.
Ndlovu made the remarks while welcoming Fakudze’s appointment as EPTC Managing Director, describing the process as one that complied with legal requirements.
He expressed confidence that Fakudze would help improve the performance of EPTC by making full use of the organisation’s expertise, setting clear targets and restoring the corporation’s competitiveness.
Ndlovu also assured EPTC of Parliament’s support as the corporation begins work under its new leadership.
The announcement was made at the Ministry of ICT Conference Room, where Minister Maziya officially introduced Fakudze as EPTC’s new Managing Director. ICT Portfolio Committee member and Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini was also present.
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