By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Mswati has ordered a High Court Judge to stop presiding over a high profile civil matter where ‘poor’ Hlane residents are challenging Gadla Tfwala, the Head of the Hlane Royal Council, who,on his behalf, forcefully grabbed a multimillion European Union(EU) funded sugar-cane project.

Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch,he controls the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary.

The King who allegedly manipulated the Constitution to place himself above the law, is immune to civil and criminal litigation.

It has been disclosed that Gadla Tfwala,a brother to Mswati’s mother and the Head of the Hlane Royal Council ,allegedly grabbed the sugar-cane project from the poor residents of Hlane,he allegedly told them that he was acting on instructions from the King.

As the matter manifests, the King allegedly sent Senator Sylvia Mtsetfwa, the then Lubombo Regional Administrator(RA) and Tibiyo TakaNgwane Managing Director(MD) Absalom Themba Dlamini to confirm to the residents that indeed, it was him who was grabbing the project.

It is alleged that the King through his uncle Gadla Tfwala,allocated land to the residents for their sugar-cane project but, he subsequently grabbed it upon learning that it had started generating millions after being funded by the European Union(EU).

Subsequently, the residents approached the European Union(EU) Eswatini and they were allegedly advised to take the matter to court 

On Wednesday(17th May 2023), Judge J Mavuso was forced allegedly, by the King, to drop the case and issue a court order directing that the matter be referred to traditional structures.

This comes after the Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Khumalo filed an affidavit confirming that Mswati has ordered that the matter be removed from the court roll.

“Pursuant to a Royal Command,I therefore seek joinder in order to apply that the matter be removed from the Court Roll and be dealt with by the Hlane Royal Council. Anyone aggrieved by the decision of the Hlane Royal Council may appeal to the King and Ingwenyama as owner of the land in question. I carry with me instructions under a Royal Command from Ingwenyama obtained at Engabezweni Royal Residence on the 13th April 2023,” reads the affidavit filed by the Attorney General(AG).

As per the directive of the King, Judge J Mavuso dropped the matter on Wednesday, and ordered that it must be referred to traditional structures.

“The matter is referred to the Traditional Structures for adjudication in terms of the affidavit of the Attorney General and pending the final finalization of the matter the payment of the dividends is interdicted. The interim orders granted in this matter are set aside. The company Takhamuti Farmers Investments(Pty) is ordered to forthwith pay the fees of Robinson Bertram and Sithole & Magagula Attorneys respectively,” reads the order by Judge J Mavuso.

Mswati has been accused of using his absolute powers,to grab giant companies and/or demand majority shareholding from investors who want to establish businesses in the Kingdom of eSwatini.