By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Victor Ndlovu,the Managing Director of Mwelase Mining Eswatini(Pty) Ltd has written a letter directed to the Commissioner of Mines Dr. Noah Ndlovu, pledging to urgently surrender and document King Mswati’s multibillion shares at Ngwenya Mine.

As reported by this publication earlier on Thursday morning,King Mswati, through the Commissioner of Mines ordered the halting of operations within the Ngwenya Mine, pending a final resolution with regards to the issue of his shares.

“In terms of the Mining Lease the power to sanction Mwelase Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Limited and by extension myself as the responsible Director and Shareholder of the Lessee is vested in the Ingwenyama.Currently you are aware that the dispute pertaining to the shares in Mwelase Investment Holdings(Proprietary) Limited is one which I have personally sought to fully address. This however, does not detract from the fact that the shares that belong to the Ingwenyama (25%) and the Eswatini Government(25%) have no question with regard to their issuance.Again having taken advice, I have come to the conclusion that these shares must be duly issued as per the allotment as provided for in the Notarial Mining Lease,” reads the letter in part, dated 24th February 2025.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, the Commissioner of Mines “has powers to stop operations” at Ngwenya Mine amid unresolved issues.

“Our experience is that it is within the powers of the Commissioner to take a decision on a Mine operation if there is disorder and report to the King what he has done on his behalf.The King does not necessarily  have to tell him when to edit or spike a Mine operation,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Dr. Noah Nhleko,the Commissioner of Mines had not responded to our questionnaire at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments on Thursday morning, Victor Ndlovu, the Managing Director of Mwelase Mining Eswatini(Pty) Ltd confirmed that, operations have been halted within the Ngwenya Mine but promised to comply and address the issues raised by the Mining Board.

“It’s true, we are currently addressing and complying with the concerns raised by the Mining Board so that we can resume operations,” said the Managing Director.

It has been disclosed that,the King through the Commissioner of Mines, demanded twenty-five percent(25%) shares in his capacity as Ingwenyama and extra 25% for his Government, this means Mwelase Mining Eswatini(Pty) Ltd holds 50% shares.

The King, directly or indirectly, holds shares worth billions in giant companies in the telecommunications, construction, agriculture, tourism, mining and other industries.