LOBAMBA: King Mswati did not authorize Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, to make an announcement and change Sibaya venue on Tuesday morning, resulting to a confusion on whether proceedings would be held inside or in an open arena.
Responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News on Thursday afternoon,after being asked to clarify who authorized Nxumalo to involve himself on royal matters, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, he had consulted with the relevant authorities and discovered that, the King’s Office did not authorize anyone to make the announcement.
“I have enquired and discovered that the King’s Office did not authorize anyone to make any announcement to that effect.The best positioned authority to explain how it happened therefore is the Press Office at Hospital Hill(Prime Minister's Office),” said the King’s Spokesperson.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo failed to respond when asked to clarify,who authorized him to create the confusion over the Sibaya national gathering.
On another note, after Nxumalo’s confusing announcement,the King is alleged to have ordered that Sibaya gathering should be held inside the Cattle Byre as per the traditional and/or cultural norm.
“We had to rush to the King to verify and take new orders after the confusion created by Nxumalo. An order was issued that the gathering would be held inside Sibaya.Bantfu bemukeliswa naku kweliphepha lokusha lokutsiwa yi-Financial Times bahlala etukwako,”said one of the King’s men.
Nxumalo,who was hired to speak on behalf of government, allegedly assumed powers of Ludzidzini Governor Lusendvo Fakudze and/or Acting Governor Themba Ginindza including Percy Simelane, the only authorized person to speak on behalf of the Head of State.
It remains unclear if the King will impose a fine on Nxumalo in terms of Swazi Law and Custom, for disturbing the Sibaya gathering.
King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane.