MBABANE:Mandla Hlatswako,the Chairperson of Letfu Sonkhe Institute for Strategic Thinking and Development says the costs King Mswati’s trip to the United Kingdom(UK) could have purchased drugs for the struggling Mbabane Government Hospital.
The King recently went in the United Kingdom(UK),he was invited to attend the Coronation of King Charles III, the trip is alleged to have costed over R50million in allowances, accommodation and traveling costs for King Mswati and his delegation.
Speaking to this Swaziland News, the Letfu Sonkhe Chairperson said it was surprising to see the King traveling to a country whose Monarchy surrendered Executive powers to the people.
“For the King to go and witness a democracy in operation,it must be indictment upon him if you look at how he is ruling his own country, where he wants us as the society to not just be his subject but, to be his servants.The kind of expenditure that is involved in the King going to spend the time that he spent, just that one visit is all that we need to buy the drugs that will run Mbabane hospital possibly, for more than a month,”said the Letfu Sonkhe Chairman.
When asked by this Swaziland News to clarify how much Mswati spent on the whole trip, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said finances for international trips were handled by Government hence he was not sure of the amount.
“We don't handle finances and hotel bookings for the King’s travel internationally but Government.We wouldn't be sure,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
Mswati is facing international criticism for his extravagant spending and the use of force against pro-democracy activists, he was recently reported to the International Criminal Court(ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
King Mswati(c) arrives at the UK Coronation.