MBABANE:Percy Simelane,the King’s Spokesperson says he can’t comment further in the matter of King’s Protocol Officer Banele Shongwe(31) because by so doing, he might interfere with duties of the administrators.
Shongwe is alleged to have abused his pregnant girlfriend Nombuso Dlamini(27), a journalist of the Times of eSwatini while intimidating her with the name of His Majesty the King by saying “no one will touch him yena ngumfana weNgwenyama”, the incident allegedly happened on Sunday at Lozitha Palace.
When asked by this Swaziland News later on Wednesday what normally “happens to individuals next to the Marnach who abuse the King’s name in this manner”, Simelane maintained, that the matter will be handled by the administrators.
Sources within the royal family told this publication that, the King “has already seen the story and does not take kindly to individuals who involve his name in such matters” that attract negative publicity.
“We beg not to commit but hold our tongue in both hands lest we take the wind from administration's sails.If we all need whipping into line administration will do it”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
On another note,the Protocol Officer allegedly unleashed armed police officers on his girlfriend journalist, while refusing to take full responsibility of child, Dlamini consulted Banele Shongwe for money to undergo medical treatment as per the requirements for pregnant women.
But the police are alleged to have been kind to the journalist after realizing that, the Protocol officer was lying that, he was being attacked at the Palace,
Dlamini told this publication that, members of the law enforcement subsequently transported her back to Mbabane as per her request and warned the Protocol Officer not to involve them in fighting his girlfriend.
When this Swaziland News contacted the King’s Protocol Officer,he terminated the conversation immediately after this journalist introduced himself.
“Ngikhuluma nabani Nkhosi?” he said before terminating the conversation after this journalist introduced himself.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening, Nonhlanhla Dlamini, the Executive Director of the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse(SWAGAA) said, those who work with the King “are not above the law” adding that the Protocol Officer must take full responsibility and maintain the child.
“Lona akanake umtfwanakhe ngoba umntfwana ucala kumnaka asesesiswini, bekumnandzi nakamakha.This is the beginning, he must also take care of the child even after birth”, said the SWAGAA Director.
King Mswati(pic: supplied).