Africa-Press – Eswatini. Khangeziwe Mabuza has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF).
The appointment was announcement was made by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg during a press briefing at the Ministry of Finance offices in Mbabane on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Mabuza, previously the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, has been seconded to SMVAF for a 12-month term, effective immediately. Minister Rijkenberg emphasised that this is a substantive CEO appointment, specifically designed to stabilise and reform the institution, which has faced significant leadership challenges over the past year.
SMVAF, commonly known as MVA, has been operating without a full executive team following the resignations of its CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer, creating what the Minister described as a “serious leadership vacuum” requiring urgent intervention.
“We have been experiencing challenges at SMVAF, with key leadership positions vacant,” Rijkenberg said. “As a government, we recognised the need for strong, experienced leadership to guide the institution through its current challenges and ensure it fulfils its mandate effectively.”
Mabuza was selected as the top candidate due to her proven leadership skills, extensive experience in public administration, and ability to drive organisational reform. “We believe she is strategically placed to address SMVAF’s challenges, lead the turnaround efforts, and restore the institution to full stability,” the Minister added.
The Minister also highlighted that SMVAF had already begun implementing a turnaround strategy, but internal disruptions had slowed progress. Mabuza’s appointment is expected to revitalise these efforts, strengthen governance structures, and ensure the Fund delivers on its crucial mandate of supporting victims of motor vehicle accidents.
Looking ahead, Minister Rijkenberg noted that after the 12-month term, the government will evaluate whether to extend Mabuza’s tenure or launch a public recruitment process for a permanent CEO. He emphasised that her role is not acting, but a substantive appointment with clear authority to drive change.
Mabuza, informed of her appointment just minutes before the briefing, expressed gratitude and readiness to accept the challenge. She pledged to focus on enhancing governance, advancing reform initiatives, and ensuring that SMVAF operates efficiently and transparently in service of the public.
The appointment of Khangeziwe Mabuza signals a renewed commitment by the government to stabilise SMVAF, strengthen leadership, and deliver effective support to victims of motor vehicle accidents across Eswatini.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
