Muzi bows out as Competition Commission CEO

By Delisa Magagula

Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC) Chief Executive Officer, Muziwandile Dlamini, will leave the organisation on March 31, 2026, marking the end of a five-and-a-half-year tenure that saw the Commission strengthen its enforcement role and expand its advocacy on fair competition and consumer protection.

Dlamini assumed office on April 1, 2020, when the Commission was consolidating its mandate to safeguard fair trade practices and protect consumers.

Over the years, he led the organisation through key investigations and adjudications on competition matters, reinforcing the application of the Competition Act and ensuring that businesses complied with regulations designed to protect both the market and consumers.

In a statement, the Board of Commissioners announced Dlamini’s impending departure and outlined plans for a leadership transition. Board Chairperson Sandile Simelane said the new Chief Executive Officer recruitment process will begin shortly to ensure continuity.

“The CEO and his committed secretariat team advanced investigations and successful adjudications on competition matters, strengthened stakeholder management, advocacy and public awareness of the mandate, while also driving the organisation’s transformation agenda,” Simelane said.

He added that the priority for the Board is to identify a leader who will build on the existing foundation and guide the Commission into its next chapter. Focus areas include developing a high-performance culture within the organisation and ensuring financial sustainability to support its long-term mandate.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade also paid tribute to Dlamini’s leadership. In a statement, the Ministry noted that his expertise had been instrumental in promoting fair competition, protecting consumers and creating a competitive business environment that supports economic growth and innovation.

“Under his guidance, the Commission has made significant strides in enforcing competition laws, advocating for policy reforms and raising awareness about the importance of competition in the marketplace. His contributions will have a lasting impact on our economy,” Minister Manqoba Khumalo said.

The Ministry further extended its best wishes to Dlamini as he prepares to leave office, expressing confidence that the work achieved during his tenure will continue to inspire future leaders in the field of competition and consumer protection.

During his tenure, the Commission not only strengthened its enforcement capacity but also expanded its role in public education and stakeholder engagement.

Awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives under his leadership were aimed at deepening the public’s understanding of the Commission’s mandate, while also encouraging compliance from businesses across sectors.

Dlamini also presided over the organisation’s transformation agenda, which sought to align internal systems and processes with the broader vision of building an effective and responsive competition authority.

This involved embedding a performance-driven culture within the Commission and improving institutional capacity to deliver on its mandate.

Responding to questions about Dlamini’s future plans, the Commission’s Communications Officer, Mancoba Mabuza, said the focus for now remains on his current role.

“The Board Chair’s statement provides sufficient information for now, and it would only be ethical and professional to consider such reflective questions at a later stage, as Muzi Dlamini remains the incumbent CEO for the next six months,” Mabuza said.

As the Commission prepares for a new leadership chapter, both the Board and the Ministry have emphasised that Dlamini’s contribution has strengthened the institutional framework of the ESCC.

His departure, scheduled for the end of March 2026, will open the way for new leadership to steer the Commission’s work in advancing competition law, safeguarding consumers and supporting the broader national objective of economic growth.

For now, Dlamini continues to serve as CEO until his final day in office, leading the Commission through its ongoing programmes and ensuring that the transition process unfolds smoothly.