By Zweli Martin Dlamini

LOBAMBA: “The court does not determine cases based on royal connection or blood,I referred the matter to the relevant traditional structures because both Dlamini and Nhleko claimed ownership of the land”.

These were the sentiments of Magistrate Lenhle Zulu when asked by this Swaziland News on Tuesday to clarify if she knew that the King allocated the land to the Prince, and if she conducted an inspection of the land in dispute before issuing the court order stopping any construction.

“Firstly, let me appreciate your effort to reach out to me and verify this matter. I remember it well and the court stopped the construction pending finalization of the matter by the relevant traditional structures,” said the Magistrate.

Prince Mlandvo, a grandson of King Sobhuza is at loggerheads with former Times journalist Musawenkhosi Nhleko, the Director of Mgiliga Properties, both of them claimed they were allocated the same land by the Nkhanini Inner Council(Bandlancane).

But a King’s consent order signed by King Mswati, granting Prince Mlandvo the permission to construct a Shopping Complex next to the Somhlolo National Stadium, has been ‘overruled’ allegedly, by the Nkhanini Inner Council.

It is alleged that the Prince was first allocated the land by Nkhanini Indvuna Lusendvo Fakudze who doubles as Ludzidzini Governor, and thereafter, it went through the relevant traditional structures before being signed for, by the King.

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, a dispute within Lusendvo Fakudze’s family erupted in the last few months as others within the family felt, he was not the rightful candidate to take over as Nkhanini Indvuna.

The aggrieved faction led by Kenneth Fakudze, then allocated other emaSwati the same land allocated by Lusendvo Fakudze as a way of fighting their internal family battles.

Governor Lusendvo Fakudze told this Swaziland News earlier that after he fell sick, the Nkhanini Inner Council(Bandlancane) started selling the land to individuals thus creating a confusion, he maintained that land was not for sale at Nkhanini.

“Njengobe ngike ngasho mntfwanami, akutsengiswa umhlaba lapha akusiko kaMaspala, loya ngumhlaba weNkhosi(meaning: As mentioned earlier, land is not for sale here, that land belongs to the King),” said the Governor.

On Monday morning, the Governor was contacted again to verify certain issues that arose when this journalist was working on the matter, and he said he was not feeling well and will contact this Swaziland News for an interview on how Prince Mlandvo was rightfully allocated the land.

During the telephone conversation, the Governor was heard talking to his ‘son’ whom he asked to assist him listen to what this journalist was saying.

“Umbongikhumbuta-ke simshayele(meaning: Please remind me so we can call him back,” said the Governor to his son.

Reached for comments, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said he was aware of the matter but asked not to comment as allocation of land to deserving citizens was outside the jurisdiction of his office.

“Land allocation to deserving citizens is outside the jurisdiction of  my office. I am aware of the wrangle that has ensued over the piece of land in question but I beg not to comment because of the aforesaid  reasons,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

On another note, Nkhanini Deputy Indvuna Kenneth Fakudze who has been accused by Indvuna Lusendvo of illegally allocating land at  Nkhanini, told this publication that both Prince Mlandvo and Musawenkhosi Nhleko of Mgiliga Properties were allocated land separately.

“Mlandvo and Nhleko were allocated land, both of them have their own piece of land but Mlandvo is fighting Nhleko,” said the Acting Nkhanini Indvuna.

Musa Nhleko, the Director of Mgiliga Properties had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

It alleged that Prince Mlandvo is being harassed by the police for continuing with the construction despite a court order stopping any construction in the disputed land.

The Prince told this publication that the police from Lobamba Police Station were harassing him every-time he tries to develop his land.

“They harass me every-time I went there to develop the land, they even threaten my  employees,” said the Prince.

Responding to questions from this Swaziland News, Mfanzile Mngometulu, the Acting Lobamba Station Commander said as the police, they were not, in any way, involved in land disputes.

“That matter is with the Nkhanini traditional authorities, police are not involved in land disputes,” said the Station Commander.