MBABANE:Former Prime Minister Prince Mabandla, a member of the King’s Advisory Council(Liqoqo) says the issue of Prince Chief Magudvulela “is a hot potato within royalty that no one is willing to touch”.
Prince Magudvulela has been banned allegedly by King Mswati from entering Royal Palaces, he stands accused of lobbying other Chiefs within the Hhohho Region to overthrow the Monarchy.
But one of King Sobhuza’s sons who spoke to this publication said a major issue among others, that allegedly landed Magudvulela in trouble was a genuine request directed to the King to have all Chiefs in the country paid salaries.
“Maybe if you can contact Prince Mabandla because I was informed that, the matter is being handled by BantfwaBeNkhosi bakaHhohho”, said one of King Sobhuza’s sons.
But in a lengthy telephone conversation with this journalist on Wednesday morning, Liqoqo member Prince Mabandla, the former Prime Minister said, Prince Magudvulela’s matter was handled by “BakaNgwane” and when consistently asked “who is BakaNgwane” so that this Swaziland News can contact them for a detailed comment, the Prince said it was very hard to identify them.
“Wena-ke Zwemart uyatati letindzaba talekini, lishona solo kutsiwa kuneBakaNgwane kube ngingaze ngihambe ngitofika lapho kuwe eJozi solo ngifuna BakaNgwane ngingabatfoli.Kodvwa solo kutsiwa,indzaba isetjentwa bakaNgwane. Wati kahle-ke wena.(meaning; as you know in such issues you are normally told the matter is being handled by royalty but you can’t identify exactly who is royalty?. I can even travel as far as Johannesburg where you are, searching for royalty but I will never find the royalty working on the matter)”, said the senior Prince when speaking to this Swaziland News.
On another note, Chief Prince Magudvulela of Ntfonjeni told this publication earlier that, he was being persecuted by King’s Praise Singer Qethuka Sigombeni Dlamini’s royal faction.
“Maybe it’s best for you to contact Sigombeni and ask him what is his problem with me,” said the Chief.
Responding to this Swaziland News,King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, he was not aware of any move to remove the Prince from his traditional position as Ntfonjeni Chief.
“He is at home.We are not privy to the alleged move to remove him as Chief”,said the King’s Spokesperson.
Efforts to reach Qethuka Sigombeni Dlamini proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
But Ludzidzini Governor Lusendvo Fakudze told this Swaziland News earlier that, the issue of Prince Chief Magudvulela “is far above his jurisdiction as “Labadzala are seized with the matter”, he was asked to clarify if there were moves to remove the Chief from his traditional position.
”Leyo ndzaba mntfwanami isetjentwa nguLabadzala”, said the Ludzidzini Governor.
Chief Prince Magudvulela is the grandson of Prince Mancibane, the grandson of King Mswati II, he comes from the Royal House and was named after Prince Magudvulela,the son of late King Mswati II.
Liqoqo member and former Prime Minister Prince Mabandla.