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PRINCE SICALO APPOINTED DEFENCE PS

By Zwelethu Dlamini | 2020-10-11

Lizinyane Prince Sicalo has been appointed the new Ministry of National Defence and Security Principal Secretary.

The prince’s appointment was announced by Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini during a press conference at Cabinet yesterday. His name was among five others announced by the premier for new appointments in different ministries.

Former PM’s Office principal secretary (PS) Victor Nxumalo has been appointed new Secretary to Cabinet, a position he has acted in since the retirement of former incumbent Mbuso Dlamini.

“It has pleased His Majesty the King and Ingwenyama Mswati III to appoint Principal Secretaries in the following ministries; Secretary to Cabinet Victor Nxumalo, Ministry of Defence Principal Secretary His Royal Highness Prince Sicalo, Prime Minister’s Office Principal Secretary Lindiwe Mbingo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation PS Melusi Masuku, Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs PS John Hlophe and Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy PS Dorcas Dlamini,” he announced. The prime minister also stated that these appointments were with immediate effect. “May I also take this opportunity to congratulate these officials for earning the trust of Their Majesties and to wish them the best as they execute their responsibilities whose core mandate is improving the lives of Emaswati. We are grateful to His Majesty for making and blessing these appointments. Bayethe Wena Waphakathi!” he added. Nxumalo’s appointment comes exactly two days after the editors’ forum held on Thursday wanted to know what was causing the delay and what impact it had had in the government operations. “What is causing the delay in recommending to the appointing authority the person to fill the position of Secretary to Cabinet and how is this impacting government operation?

Rercruit

Is the PM looking to recruit someone from the private sector to take up the secretary to Cabinet position?” asked the editors. In response, the PM commended Nxumalo saying since he held the position the operations had been running smoothly and the appointment was going to happen at the time deemed fit by the appointing authority. “The position of secretary to Cabinet is presently occupied, on an acting basis, by Victor Nxumalo and government operations are proceeding smoothly. The full appointment will be made at the pleasure of the appointing authority,” he said on Thursday. Prince Sicalo has replaced Andreas Mlungisi Mathabela who finally retired in September 2019 at the age of 71 after serving in the office since May 2002. The prince hailed Their Majesties for the appointment which he said was not by any other means rather the prayers from the nation and the appointing authority’s wisdom. “We appreciate your congratulations to the new task that has been bestowed before me. We hope we will work with due diligence and honesty. Natsi akusiko kutsi sinjani kepha nje imithantazo yaso sive nayo inhlakanipho yebantfu labadzala who commission us to these offices,” he said, meaning the appointment was solely from prayers and Their Majesties wisdom. Prince Sicalo was also serving as the senior member of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force and has been in the media as his foundation has been delivering blankets and food parcels to the needy. His appointment comes barely a week after another Lizinyane Prince Lindani was appointed King’s Office Economics Affairs Director.

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