Eswatini king criticised for sending security detail to new Zulu monarch
THE Swaziland Solidarity Network has condemned the “wastage” of Eswatini taxpayers’ money by King Mswati III, who sent a close-protection security detail to accompany his nephew Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in South Africa amid threats after the new king took over from late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Mantfombi.
“We wish to decry and condemn the wastage of Swazi taxes by the king in his commitment to protect his nephew King Misuzulu against his detractors.
“The king and his delusional family members like parading themselves as people ordained to rule over others by a supernatural being,” said Swaziland Solidarity Network spokesperson Lucky Lukhele.
“If this is true then King Misuzulu should have very little to worry about in terms of security because whichever supernatural being that ordained him will protect him.
“It is therefore completely unnecessary for his uncle to send him a security detail comprising members of the Swazi army and the police and to keep shuttling him between Swaziland and his home in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Lukhele said the Zulu kingdom had sufficient money to cater for its security provisions and did not need to use the money of taxpayers in impoverished eSwatini.
Shortly after being announced as the preferred successor to the Zulu throne, King Misuzulu was whisked out of Kwakhangelamankengane palace on Friday evening.
Earlier, after the reading of the will of the late Queen Regent, Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, which said he must take over as the new king, a royal family member, Prince Thokozani Zulu, also known as an Msweli, stood up to object, throwing the gathering into turmoil.
Independent Media reported that, sensing danger and brandishing firearms, the close-protection team of the new king, which included Swati-speaking personnel who were believed to be from the king of eSwatini, had to shield him and quickly remove him from the palace premises.
Lukhele said around 70% of the population in eSwatini lived below the poverty line.
“The most significant reason for this is the king’s greed which he extends to members of his larger extended family. It is not the first time that Misuzulu and his siblings benefit from their uncle. They have been living off the wealth of poor Swazis ever since they were born,” he said.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has revealed that King Misuzulu, who has yet to be coronated, will be returning to eSwatini to collect his belongings, and will return to South Africa in a week’s time.