By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Billionaire Nathan Kirsh is alleged to be considering funding a regime-change oriented project in the Kingdom of eSwatini amid a fall-out with King Mswati,an absolute Monarch.

It is alleged that the multi-billionaire felt betrayed by Mswati and the eSwatini government after it became clear that the King was captured by a powerful syndicate linked to Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg, both Neal and Nathan Kirsh are powerful  capitalists with serious business interests in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

Reached for comments,Nathan Kirsh right-hand man Paul Friedlander denied that the billionaire was plotting to fund a regime-change oriented project in eSwatini.

“This is not true”,said the billionaire’s right-hand man.

But insiders close to the matter told this Swaziland News that the billionaire allegedly had an interest in the recent Elective Congress of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO),with the hope that it will produce a future investor friendly leadership.

It is alleged that Kirsh wants a more diplomatic and non-violent approach in resolving the eSwatini issue that might possibly lead to regime-change but unfortunately,the alleged PUDEMO candidates favored by Nathan Kirsh associates did not win during the Elective Congress.

As a result,there’s a huge possibility that another PUDEMO break-away political party might be formed.

Speaking to this Swaziland News,Penuel Malinga,the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) confirmed knowledge of the matter but declined to release an official comment before investigating it further.

“I am aware of the matter suggesting that there might be an alleged involvement of Kirsh but the problem is that this matter is still being discussed in hushed tones within the Executive of PUDEMO.Give me some time to investigate it further then I will release an official comment,” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.

But an insider very close to Nathie Kirsh said the billionaire felt betrayed by Mswati and he wants to play a part in preparing for a more stable and investor friendly political environment in eSwatini where he has vast business interests.

“Kirsh felt betrayed by Mswati, you will remember that even during the COVID-19,Kirsh donated about R200million to help the country fight the pandemic and assist victims.But the King is now more closer to a syndicate linked to Neal Rijikernberg and they are signing business agreements,”said the insider.

Reached for comments,King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said they still believe Kirsh knows that anyone who puts muscles before brains is a potential failure.

“We are not aware of any rift between Mr Kirsh and the King.We are also not privy to the  alleged “Behind the Scenes Operation” by Mr Kirsh aimed  at funding regime change schemes.We still believe Mr Kirsh  knows that anyone who puts muscles before brains is a potential failure,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

On or around 24th March 2015, shortly after the establishment of the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF), Veranshi Pillay wrote an article published by the Mail and Guardian accusing the billionaire of funding the EFF amid a circulating proof of payment of R9million allegedly donated to the political organization.

But the R9million alleged donation that resulted to other South African media entities ‘bashing’ Nathan Kirsh was not confirmed by both the EFF and the billionaire and a result, it remained a subject of wide speculation.

“Kirsh,an eccentric sort with bucketloads of money, seems to like dabbling in opposition politics. Previous reports say he has funded the Democratic Alliance as well as Agang, and was perhaps behind their forced merger. He’s also been linked to the FW de Klerk Foundation so one conspiracy theory had it that clearly this proves the EFF is a giant project by De Klerk and Kirsh to undermine the ANC,”reads a article published by the Mail and Guardian.

On another note,the “behind the scenes” battles by powerful capitalists to influence political decisions in eSwatini seem to be gaining momentum,capitalist Neal Rijikernberg was recently exposed in a plot to kill PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya.

The Finance Minister avoided questions from this publication when asked about the matter.

It has been disclosed that like Nathan Kirsh, capitalist Neal Rijikernberg has vast business interests in eSwatini.

Neal recently registered Silulu Royal Holdings, a company linked to the King that forcefully grabs land from the poor in the rural areas to give way for Mswati and Neal Rijikernberg’s forestry business.

But in 2011, at the time when the billionaire was more closer to Mswati,the IOL News, a South African publication quoting the Times of eSwatini and the Swazi Observer,published a story where Kirsh was defending the Monarchy and discouraging efforts to democratize the tiny Kingdom.

In the report, Kirsh denied that King Mswati “is an absolute monarch”, and ignored the political unrest in the country.

“I even lacked enough tissue to wipe my wife’s tears as she saw how the country has developed.There is stability, peace, security and a general low crime rate in Swaziland.There is less of a mess here than in the rest of the world. I know because I do business all over the world,” Kirsh said as quoted by IOL.