By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Prince Sicelo, a member of the Boarder Restoration Committee (BRC), allegedly ‘kicked out’ Chief Tsabedze and Chief Zachariah Dlamini from Phongola who were booked at Thula Du Lodge -Malagwane before King Mswati dispersed eMabutfo, marking the end of the recently held Incwala ritual ceremony.

The South African traditional leaders are among those paying allegiance to the Eswatini Monarchy based on historical links between emaSwati based in Eswatini and those on the other side of the colonial boarders.

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that on Monday, the 12th January 2026, Prince Sicelo allegedly removed the Chiefs from the Thula Du Lodge, booked by King Mswati for the traditional leaders through his King’s Office.

The investigation subsequently uncovered that, Prince Sicelo is among members of the Boarder Restoration Commitee allegedly looting the King’s Office millions or BRC budget allocated for such activities.

Responding to this publication, Prince Sicelo, the implicated member of the Boarder Restoration Committee said, to the best of his knowledge, all Chiefs from outside the boarder were treated well and they even expressed appreciation.

“It’s totally not true Dlamini but ngiyabonga lokutsi ungitsintse. All Chiefs were treated with dignity and they even expressed appreciation after the Incwala ceremony,” said the Boarder Restoration Committee member.

Prince Sicelo who was identified as the mastermind of the looting within the Committee in the midst of this investigation, is the son of Prince Phiwokwakhe and the grandson of King Sobhuza, he comes from the royal house of King MisuZulu’s mother Queen Mantfombi.

Reached for comments by this publication, Chief Tsabedze of Phongola confirmed that, they were ‘kicked out’ of the Lodge adding that, “they are making efforts” to formally report the ill-treatment” to the King.  

“It was very painful, saphatseka kabi kakhulu ngaze ngabuyela emuva ekhaya Incwala ingakapheli sengite indzawo yekulala. I came back after a week because Incwala was still continuing, we are making arrangements to formally report this to the King,” said the Phongola Chief.

On another note, Chief Tsabedze told this publication that, he personally contacted the Chairman of the Border Restoration Committee Chief Prince Mgebiseni who equally sounded shocked that, they were being ‘kicked out’ of the Lodge before the King officially dispersed eMabutfo, marking the end of Incwala.

But in the midst of the investigation into the alleged looting of the King’s Office funds and/or ill-treatment of the Chiefs from Phongola, the Chairman of the Boarder Restoration Committee Chief Prince Mgebiseni was contacted by this publication and, he confirmed knowledge of the matter, however, he referred this journalist to the King’s Office for clarification.

“Nkhosi I know about the matter, the Chiefs called me asebabakhipha. Nkhosi they were booked by the Kings Office ngibo labangaphendula kahle kutsi kwentekani, Wena Wohlanga,” said the Chairman of the Border Restoration Committee.

King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane, when responding to this publication, vigorously denied knowledge of the matter, Simelane said “his Office has no record of the complaint” in question.

“We have no record of the complaint in question. We have checked with some of those believed to have been involved but drew a blank,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

The Phongola based traditional leaders further told this publication that, they did not receive their share of the R45million announced by the King as ‘Imbasha’ gift for eMajaha.