By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Bertram Stewart,the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Prime Minister’s Office is retiring after attempts to secure a new contract with King Mswati failed,he will officially leave office in the next three(3) weeks on the 7th March 2025.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.

But a source within Cabinet told this publication that, Stewart allegedly asked Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to act as his ‘Lincusa’ to the King but, the response was allegedly negative.

“He asked the Prime Minister to act as his ‘Lincusa’ but the response was negative”,said the source within Cabinet. 

When asked if the King renews contracts for Principal Secretaries(PSs) and whether PS Stewart made attempts to ask for contract extension, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, the King was not responsible for the renewal of contracts.

“No, he is not.We are not even aware of the alleged effort by the Principal Secretary in question to see the King.The Constitution puts compulsory retirement at 60 years.However, below this clause ,it puts it in no uncertain terms that if the King feels he needs a civil servant to continue to serve, he may re-engage you contractually,”‘said the King’s Spokesperson.

But another source in the corridors of power told this publication that, “the King respects protocol” when dealing with such issues.

“The King respects protocol on such issues, sometimes he can refuse just because you have chosen the wrong ‘Lincusa’.I will make an example; if it was a Judge, he would entertain the matter if it was brought to his attention by the JSC or the Minister of Justice, he is very strict on protocol”, said the insider in the corridors of power.