MBABANE: King Mswati allegedly looted over USD 312,500.00( over R3million) from public funds on international trip.
This is contained in a bundle of documentary evidence sourced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, they include invoices from Gain Jet Aviation SA, being a company that was facilitating the King’s jet trips with flight MD 87 3DC -SWZ.
It has been disclosed that on or around 24 April 2013, an invoice of the said amount was sent to the Government of Eswatini through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the money was subsequently sourced from public funds.
Reached for comments, Senator Thulie Dladla, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was difficult for her to comment on a trip that happened in 2013, however, she confirmed that the King’s jet trips were once managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It’s difficult for me to comment on a trip that happened in 2013, but as far as I can remember, the jet trips were once managed by Foreign Affairs but now its managed under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport”, said the Minister.
Speaking to this publication Mandla Hlatswayo, the Chairperson of Letfu Sonkhe Institute for Strategic Thinking said the R3million was far less than what taxpayers spent on King Mswati’s private jets.
“Actually, R3million is nothing compared to what the taxpayers spent on the white elephant airport. Hundreds of millions are being spent servicing the airport that is a private facility for an individual. Maybe, we need to do more research so we can have the real figures”, said the Letfu Sonkhe Chairperson.
An invoice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Mswati’s trip.