LOBAMBA: Newly appointed members of the various King’s governing Councils will collectively cash over E12million annually, as salaries from public coffers.
Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini had previously announced that hiring was frozen by government in the midst of the economic crisis, but on Wednesday King Mswati, through Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo announced the appointment of 19 close and extended family members including Chiefs into various governing Councils , they are expected to cash over E50,000.00 each including sitting allowances and this amounts to over E1million per month and E12million per year.
“It has pleased His Majesty and Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini to appoint the listed members of Liqoqo, Elections and Boundaries Commission, Boarder Restoration Committe, Land Management Board, Civil Service Commission and Citizenship Board with immediate effect” read a press statement dated 14 October 2020.
Chief Dambuza Lukhele has been appointed into a Border Restoration Committe (BRC) whose specific duties remain unknown, however it was alleged that it seeks to negotiate the return of land belonging to eSwatini that was lost during the colonial era, no evidence proving any progress in the assignment since the Committe was established.
Other newly appointed members include Prince Matazela, Prince Sibhimbi, Prince Mandlenkhosi and Chief Prince Masuku who were appointed into the Liqoqo Supreme Council.
Four members were appointed into the Civil Service Commission(CSC) and this include Prince Ngangabani, Princess Nkosinomenzi, Chief Velamuva Maseko and Ntombi Mngomezulu.
The Citizenship Board include King Mswati, father-in law Chief Ngangaza, tQueen Mother Ntombi Tfwala’s relative Vusi Tfwala, Muzi Dlamini, Pastor Griffith Dlamini, Lungile Nxumalo, Fikile Dlamini, Princess Msindvose and Makhosi Simelane, the Chief Immigration Officer.
The Land Management Board will now be headed by Prince Mguqiso as the Chairman while Bishop Sipho Tempe has been appointed a member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission(EBC).
King Mswati