By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Sihle Forward Dlamini, the King’s Private Secretary allegedly signed over R100million theft of public funds on behalf of King Mswati.

Dlamini recently made a public address denying that he was stealing public funds, he said he was a businessman and was born from a family that owned businesses.

But an independent investigation by this Swaziland News uncovered a bundle of documents suggesting that the King’s Private Secretary has been facilitating the theft of public funds worth billions on behalf of the King, in the process,he allegedly enriched himself by stealing part of the money.

Documents in our possession suggest that on or around 16th April 2012, Dlamini signed a Salgaocar Mine Board meeting resolution that approved $10million(over R100million) advance payment to King Mswati.

This disclosure comes amid King’s claims suggesting that he holds shares in the various mines in trust for the Swazi Nation, however, the over R100million was deposited at the Standard Bank Swaziland and subsequently transferred to his account.

“In a board meeting duly called and held at Mbabane on the 16th April 2012 by the Executive Chairman. It was resolved that the Ingwenyama, being a statutory shareholder of 25% in the company, shall be(sic) receive an advance payment of this divided in the sum of USD 10million as per his request”, reads part of the Salgaocar Swaziland Board resolution.

The documents reveal that the resolution that saw the King being paid the over R100million was signed by Sihle Forward Dlamini(King’s representative), Shammuga Rethenam(Chairman), Mbuso Cement Dlamini(ex-Secretary to Cabinet) and Sivarama Prasad Petla being Directors of the company representing shareholders.

The company that was operating the Ngwenya Mine was forced to shutdown after King Mswati demanded more money from the investor.

A questionnaire was sent to Sihle Dlamini, the King’s Private Secretary, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments,human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF) said the concept of the King holding shares on behalf of the Swazi Nation was a misnomer and does not exist in reality.

“We never get to know how much of those shares actually ascend to the Government Consolidated Fund. If he holds these shares in trust, that money should then be sent to the central fund for the benefit of the Swazi people. But we know that those monies are held private by Mswati and he uses those funds without accounting to the people. So the concept of holding in trust is actually being abused for the benefit of the King, royal family and his friends not for the Swazi people, it’s just a misnomer that does not exist in reality,” said the MSF Chairperson.