By 
By Kwanele Dhladhla
Acting Prime Minister Thuli Dladla has maintained that they intervened in the EswatiniMed debacle to protect the interests of the nation and would continue to do so until the riddled board of directors has exhausted all available structures in resolving current issues.
The rift within EswatiniMed board directors has led to the removal of Chairman Sammy Dlamini and the suspension of Principal Officer (PO) Peter Simelane.
Simelane was replaced by Nokuthula Dlamini albeit on an acting basis with immediate effect. However, a statement later issued purportedly by EswatiniMed management maintained that the announcement made by Interim Chairman Bhekie Maziya was null and void.
The government, as a principal shareholder at the medical aid fund which was formed in 1980 and registered as a non-profit making open scheme, through Acting Prime Minister Thuli Dladla promised that the situation was closely monitored in the best interests of the nation.
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“Government has been assured that EswatiniMed is working around the clock to resolve any issues within the organisation and that its membership will not be affected, including those currently receiving treatment through the medical aid scheme.
Eswatini Med has further assured the government that an update will be given to the nation once the board has exhausted all its available structures,” Dladla assured.
Dladla had on Thursday said the government was not interested in who was being removed or not but was merely protecting the nation in particular the membership of EswatiniMed.
The acting PM on Friday went on to state that the government through the Ministry of Health, and in consultation with the Eswatini Medical Aid Fund (Eswatini Med Board), allays any fears from members of the public who may have panicked following scenes that unfolded in recent days.
On Thursday evening, Maziya reported threats with the police which were allegedly uttered by Simelane during a heated meeting at Eswatini Med offices in Mbabane (Nedbank building) earlier in the day.
This was shortly after drama unfolded at the Hilton Garden Inn as officers from Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) stormed, and further called to an abrupt end, a press conference where EswatiniMed made the drastic changes.
The press briefing was ended on the instruction of Dladla. However, the announcement had already been made. When asked why the government issued an order for the press briefing to be halted, Dladla reiterated that she sought intervention from National Commissioner of Police Manoma Masango to protect national interests since hundreds of emaSwati would automatically be affected by the decision which was eventually communicated.
Maziya, in his capacity as interim Chairman, said Dlamini had been removed from the position following a vote of no confidence in his leadership by the board. He explained that the resolution had been reached during what he termed as a properly constituted board meeting held on Tuesday.
The interim chairman mentioned that it was during the same board meeting that they resolved to suspend Simelane pending the finalisation of an investigation into alleged misconduct. It was stated that the board had appointed Nokuthula Dlamini as the acting (PO) with immediate effect.
It was communicated that Maziya would serve on an acting basis until a substantive chairman gets appointed by the board.
Further, Maziya said the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was scheduled for March 26, 2025, would no longer be held. It was explained that the basis for the cancellation of the AGM was that it had not been authorised by the board by the Memorandum and Articles of Association of EswatiniMed.
“We wish to inform all shareholders of Eswatini Med that the advertised AGM will not proceed as it was not authorised by the board. The board will, in due course, issue a formal notice for a new AGM, in accordance with the proper governance procedures,” Maziya said.
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The interim chairman went on to inform members and stakeholders to bear with them as they address governance issues decisively and transparently.
“The board is committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities and, most importantly, to acting in the best interests of Eswatini Med and all those it serves,” he added.
During the press conference, Maziya was in the company of other board members being; Edward Sithole, Sibusiso Nhleko, Muzi Magagula, Leonard Nxumalo and Vusi Khumalo.
