MBABANE:Princess Sikhanyiso, the Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) vowed not to resume her Cabinet duties until King Mswati fires Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini.
On or around January 2020, this Swaziland News published an investigative report suggesting that the Princess who was pregnant at the time, went on leave without the approval of Cabinet, this was after a power-struggle erupted between the Prime Minister and the King’s daughter who claimed she was the third most senior person in the country after the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala.
Mancoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade is currently the acting Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) as the Princess continues to boycott Cabinet.
Percy Simelane, the then Government Spokesperson who respondedto our questionson behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that he was not aware where the Princess was, howeverbuthe denied any knowledge of a tension between her and the Prime Minister.
“I don’t know where she might be.I am not aware too that there is tension between herself and the Prime Minister,” said the Government Spokesperson.
But the Princess when responding to our questions, sent series of threatening messages warning this journalist that he will regret publishing the story
The King’s daughter further maintained through the text messages that the PM was junior than her and not the third senior person in the country, she advised this publication to analyze the King’s speech and salutations during the national event.
“I just received a copy of your article Dlamini. One supposes you have been crafting it for months. Good luck to you and your mission. The PM is not third in the line of seniority in the land, follow the salutations during the next national event” read a text message sent by the Princess to this journalist.
Senior royal sources told this publication that the Princess was no longer on maternity leave but boycotting Cabinet meetings until the King removes the Prime Minister.
“The Princess is no longer on maternity leave but wants Mandvulo fired. She vowed not to return to work until the PM is removed by the King, their tension has reached another level” said a royal source.
Reached for comments Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said what is done by Princess Sikhanyiso confirms that the public is treated like goods and an estate of the royal family.
“This is what happens in a society where public affairs are private and the private becomes public. Princess Sikhanyiso is doing all this, refusing to go back to work because she enjoys the backing of her family that treats the Nation as part of its good and estate. When the King appointed her, we were told that she was representing the youth and women and now she is refusing to go back to work, nothing will happen to her” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
It has been disclosed that despite boycotting Cabinet meetings, the Princess is receiving her salary as a Cabinet Minister for doing nothing, so far she has pocketed over E500,000.00 from taxpayers
Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini