LOBAMBA: Prince Lindani will now cash over E200,000.00 per month in salaries after King Mswati appointed him Economic Affairs Director in the King’s Office, another well paying position that comes with a salaries of over E60,000.00 monthly.
This means, the King’s son will now get paid for more than one position, he holds the position of Major in the Army that comes with a salary of over E50,000.00. Prince Lindani is a Board Member of the Eswatini Revenue Authority(SRA) where he is entitled to sitting allowances, he holds shares directly and indirectly in various companies and is also entitled to a share in the multi-million royal grant for King Mswati and Sobhuza children.
The latest appointment of the Prince by his father is contained in a memorandum dated 05 October 2020 signed by Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) in the King's Office, the leaked document was addressed to Deputy Chief Officers, Private Secretary to King Mswati and Administration and all Directors of departments within the King’s Office.
“This serves to inform you that HRH Prince Lindaninkhosi has been appointed to the position of Economic Affairs Director in the King’s Office with immediate effect. Mr Mphiwa Dlamini is re-deployed to the position of Political Affairs Director in the King’s Office, effective 1st October 2020. On behalf of the Royal Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of the King’s Office, I would like to congratulate HRH Prince Lindaninkhosi on his new appointment and Mr Mphiwa Dlamini on his redeployment” read the memo signed by the King’s CEO.
Efforts to reach the King's Office CEO Mgwagwa Gamedze proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report
Reached for comments, Brian Sangweni, the Spokesperson of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) described this appointments as ‘last minute’ looting by the royal family.
“They are aware that their days are numbered hence the looting, it’s possible that this Economic Affairs position has been created for Lindani loot more taxpayers money” he said.
The PUDEMO Spokesperson further said the appointment of the Prince was a demonstration of disrespect for the people of eSwatini by the ruling royal system because it came at a time when hiring has been frozen by the government.
"This appointment also show the level of disrespect and disregard for the people of this country by the ruling royal system. At a time where hiring is said to be frozen to recover the economy, the special few are hired with new positions created specifically for them. It confirms what we have always been saying as PUDEMO that this system only exist to fatten the royal family and its close friends" said the PUDEMO Spokesperson.
Speaking to this Swaziland News on the matter, Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberation Congress(NNLC) said the country remains in serious trouble as the royal family continue to multiply.
"No one is safe here, even those holding positions should know that they are doing so on behalf of one family, there is a systematic take-over on everything by the royal family. As the NNLC, we are saying the royal family should be completely be separated from politics. The fact that the prince is now holding a position in the King's Office means no one will be above him, he will report directly to the King" said the NNLC President.
Prince Lindani is not the only member of the royal family who gets paid for various positions for doing nothing, his sister Princess Sikhanyiso, the first born daughter of the King receives a salary for being a police officer despite holding a Cabinet position.
Prince Lindani