MBABANE:Wandile Dludlu,the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) has accused King Mswati of running the country like his private company while paying royal family members dividends as ‘shareholders’.
The senior PUDEMO leader was speaking to this Swaziland News on Tuesday, when asked to comment about a recent article published by this publication where it was alleged that, Mswati paid his brothers and sisters, the children of the late King Sobhuza about R10million.
It has been disclosed that, each senior member of the royal family received two hundred and thirty thousand Rands(R230,000.00) as an annual grant.
“The King is running this country like his royal private company, even billions that should be benefiting the public through Government are paid directly to him.Royal family members were receiving dividends as shareholders because this country is being run like a royal private company.Amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, members of the royal family are receiving dividends because they are partners or shareholders in the ‘company’ called eSwatini”, said the PUDEMO Deputy President.
Reached for comments earlier on Monday evening,King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said,his office operates away from salaries and allowances,he then urged this journalist to seek a comment from the relevant offices or finance institution.
“We operate away from salaries, social grants and allowances.Kindly take it up with the relevant finance institution or offices”,said the King’s Spokesperson.
Eswatini is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals,the education sector is also facing financial challenges as institutions of higher learning struggle without working equipment.
King Mswati(pic-Gov).