MBABANE:Rev Bhekindlela Mcdonald Magongo of the Anglican Church who died in a car accident this week had an argument with his wife lawyer Lungile Magagula over an alleged adulterous affair with Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo, this publication has gathered.
Lungile Magagula was,allegedly through the influence of Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Khumalo,appointed as the Director of the newly formed Eswatini Legal Aid.
It has been disclosed that, the deceased Reverend reported to some of his relatives and senior church members that, he was stressed as his wife was in an ‘open’ relationship with the Attorney General(AG),and when confronted,she would respond arrogantly.
An investigation conducted by this Swaziland News on the passports of the two(2)uncovered that, on numerous occasions, the AG and the wife to the late Reverend took international trips together with public funds.
The AG further included his alleged girlfriend lawyer Lungile Magagula in a State delegation to the United States(US) where Government officials engaged and negotiated with US Senators who are pushing a targeted sanctions motion against individuals involved in human rights violations in eSwatini, the delegation was led by the then Justice Minister Pholile Shakantu.
It is still unclear how lawyer Lungile Magagula qualified to be included in the United States trip of such national importance.
But part of the information suggests that, the AG and the wife to the late Reverend would take international trips together and in some of the trips, it was the Attorney General’s official travel funded with public funds.
The information suggests that, the AG would then include lawyer Lungile Magagula to accompany him without a clear justification.
Insiders within the AG’s Office confirmed that,the relationship was known and at times, lawyer Lungile Magagula would arrive and the AG would lock himself and the late Reverend’s wife inside the office.
“Its a known relationship here and the death of Magongo is painful because there was nothing he could do as a powerful man was allegedly sleeping with his wife,Khumalo and Lungile continued even after the information reached Magongo”, said the insider.
A questionnaire was sent to the Attorney General(AG),however,he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
It has been disclosed that,the Magongo family wanted to postpone the funeral to next week but, the wife refused saying she was not prepared to stay in-doors as a widow for many days as she was rushing back to work.
It later transpired that,the death came at the time when the AG was about to take another international trip with Magagula this week.
Efforts to reach lawyer Lungile Magagula,the wife to late Reverend Bhekindlela Mcdonald Magongo proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Information gathered from close family members further suggest that,the accident that happened at Mahhala, came at a time when the Reverend was taking alcohol as a result of stress.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati,the Police Spokesperson confirmed the accident to the State owned Eswatini Observer this week and Rev Bhekindlela Mcdonald Magongo was driving a Kia Sedan,he died on Tuesday evening.
“The driver sustained serious injuries and was certified dead upon arrival in hospital,” said the Police Spokesperson when speaking to the Eswatini Observer.
Reached for comments,Brian Sangweni,the National Spokesperson of Eswatini’s main,largest and influential political party,the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said, it was unfortunate to see loyalists of the Tinkhundla system abusing public funds even for such personal affairs at the time when emaSwati “are in need” of services.
“But we must remember that, corruption is in the DNA of the Tinkhundla system,loyalists engage in corruption without being punished.We urge emaSwati to look at the Tinkhundla system as a system that strives with corruption”, said the PUDEMO National Spokesperson.
Reverend Bhekindlela Magongo will be buried on Sunday at Tikhuba in the Lubombo Region.
Lungile Magagula-wife to the late Bishop.