By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MAHLANYA: Prince Mlandvo, a grandson of King Sobhuza alleged that Ludzidzini Council member Ncumbi Maziya shot and attempted to kill him.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Saturday, the Prince alleged that Maziya was terrorizing him and other neighbours at Mahlanya after they complained that he was making noise at night with his construction machinery.

The Ludzidzini Council member owns a blockyard at Mahlanya within the premises of his homestead situated on top of knoll.

“He is abusing the name of the King to terrorize me and other residents with impunity. As you know, he is owning a block-yard and residents including myself complained that he was making noise at night with his construction machinery and he decided to fight us.Police are not doing anything to him because he is perceived to be powerful,” said the Prince who is the grandson of King Sobhuza.

Reached for comments, Sebenele Gamedze who was with Prince Mlandvo when the Ludzidzini Council member allegedly fired shots, attempting to kill the Prince, said Ncumbi Maziya produced a gun and fired at them in the midst of an argument.

“We were at Mahlanya about two weeks ago, Ncumbi found us along the gravel road to our homes. He first insulted us then fired shots at the Prince, we drove-off in fear of being killed,” said the Mahlanya resident.

This is not the first time the Ludzidzini Council member stands accused of attempted murder, royal insiders told this publication that Prince Gija Dlamini, the then Elections and Boundaries Commission(EBC) Chairman once survived a shootout by unknown people in the midst of a serious misunderstanding with Ncumbi Maziya.

“Before the attempted murder against Gija, Ncumbi had issued threats in a meeting at Nkhanini saying kunemuntfu lokufanele afe-ke nangabe angalalelwa yena. Lomuntfu lona ucanca ngisho bantfwabeNkhosi enhloko,” said the royal insider.

A questionnaire was sent to Ludzidzini Council member Ncumbi Maziya, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But in an earlier comment, Maziya threatened to report this journalist to King Mswati.

“I will report you to the King because you are being used to scandalize me.Angitsi nawe kukhona labakutfumile, labangani bakho bo-Gija, nami-ke ngitawubikela labakhulu,” said the Ludzidzini Council member.

On Saturday, the Times of Eswatini reported that Maziya was in a conflict with neighbors.

Reached for comments, Lusendvo Fakudze, the Ludzidzini Palace Governor said the matter must be reported to the Ludzidzini Council so that they could take action against Ncumbi Maziya.

“This matter must be referred to the Ludzidzini Council so that we can discipline and correct him, we don’t want fights and chaos, we want peace,” said the Governor.

Police Spokesperson Phindile Vilakati had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But apart from terrorizing the residents of Mahlanya, Ncumbi Maziya is alleged to have blocked the installation of a Chief at kaLanga, he allegedly told the traditional council of kaLanga that he would recommend a Chief of his choice to their Majesties.

Reached for comments, kaLanga Acting Chief Rudolf Maziya confirmed that Ncumbi Maziya was also ‘terrorizing’ them at the Chiefdom adding that he delayed the installation of a Chief.

“I am aware that at Mahlanya he is also terrorizing residents, however,  I don’t have the full details of the story. But here at kaLanga he contributed to the delay in the installation of a Chief. He is not even allowed to discuss issues of the kaLanga ruling family but he abuses his proximity to Labadzala to interfere with the process of installing a Chief,” said the Acting Chief of kaLanga.