MBABANE: A bundle of documentary evidence exposing how King Mswati manipulates the office of the Master of the High Court to loot millions and assets belonging to children of the late King Sobhuza is now in possession of this investigative journalist.
The information was shared by a senior member of the royal family who told this journalist that Mswati has been abusing them,grabbing asserts belonging to their father and mothers, only to pretend as if he cared for them through political appointments.
“I saw your article yesterday(Tuesday) where you exposed how Mswati loots monies for orphans and widows at the Master of the High Court.He has been doing this to us for years, grabbing our parents assets for himself.I will send you some evidence of what I am talking about but don’t reveal this for now because as children of Sobhuza, we are finding ways to deal nalomuntfu lona.Lena-ke kaMaster ngatsi sekwaba ne-order nje kutsi kwafika lifayela lemuntfu waseBukhosini konkhe kutsatfwa nguye.Tsine siyamangala nalokutsi nalemali leyashiywa nguBabe, konkhe sekwakhe nje.Babe wafa anemali abetihambela ngetinyawo, abeyesabe kabi imali yaHulumdende, esaba nekuhlala lapha eMbo ngoba yakhiwa ngu-Hulumende waze wancengwa kutsi ahlale.Lona akesabi ngisho imali yaHulumende uyatsatsa nje.Nema-assets abo-Make betfu uyatsatsa(meaning:It seems there was an order directing the Master of the High Court to transfer Estates belonging to close royal family members to him. We are surprised that even the money that was left by our father(Sobhuza)was grabbed by him. Our father was afraid of using public funds, he was even afraid to stay at Embo because it was built by Government. This one is not afraid of public funds, he even grabs our parents’ Estates)”, said the senior member of the royal family.
The senior royal family member said she/he (to protect identity) tried to speak to the King while traveling with him in one of the international trips to release the assets of their parents but failed. She/he said after grabbing the assets, the King would appoint them to senior political positions to cover-up his corruption and pretend as if he was taking care of them.
“I can survive with the multi-million assets belonging to my parents without any political appointment.When I saw your article yesterday(Tuesday), I said kube uMlangeni uyati kutsi tsine sesiphelile ngulomuntfu lona”, said the senior royal family.
On Tuesday,this Swaziland News reported that orphans and widows were now struggling to receive their Estate monies at the Master of the High Court amid allegations suggesting that Mswati looted millions within that entity.
In the midst of this investigation,Phumzile Thomo-Masilela,the Master of the High Court was asked to clarify if it was true that the money was ‘grabbed’ by the King, she referred questions to the Registrar of the High Court.
“I am not authorized to respond to your questions on this matter, kindly contact the Registrar of the High Court or the Supreme Court”, said the Master of the High Court.
As per the directive of the Master of the High Court,a questionnaire was sent to Siphiwo Mabila,the Registrar of the Supreme Court, however,she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
On or around January 2021,Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala stopped a high level investigation by Parliament whose terms of reference was to investigate the alleged corruption currently manifesting within the office of the Master of the High Court.
Thabile Mdluli, the Deputy Government Spokesperson who also speaks on behalf of Mswati had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments,Lungelo Zulu,the Executive Director of Mhluma Women and Youth Foundation said he was aware of the matter and urged the office of the Master of the High Court to communicate and explain to the public why the money was not released.
“It’s true that some widows and orphans were struggling to receive their money from the Master of the High Court. We have members who are widows, they are struggling to receive their money and we expect the office of the Master to explain where did the money go,” said the Mhluma Executive Director.
King Mswati