Africa-Press – Eswatini. Khandlela Mdluli, the King’s Protocol Officer has challenged all those who claimed to have bribed him for jobs, to open a case with the police if their accusations are genuine.
The Protocol Officer in the King’s Office was responding on Tuesday morning, after being questioned, amid accusations suggesting that he was taking bribes from aspiring politicians seeking positions in Cabinet, Parliament and emaBandla while others accuse Mdluli of promising them jobs in the security forces.
It is alleged that Mdluli claimed that,King King Mswati gave him powers to identify and recommend members of the next Cabinet and emaBandla(Governing Councils), among others.
As a result, more aspiring politicians who are struggling to meet or attract the attention of the King, “are approaching” him for political positions.
“This is not the first time I am accused of taking bribes for jobs but, no one is coming-out to open a case with the police. Abakusho nje bangakufihli because in order for umuntfu kutsiwe kukhona lakwentile, loyo muntfu lokushoko loko must prove that, angikwati mine kutsatsa timali,” said the King’s Protocol Officer.
But one of the alleged victims who claimed he paid Mdluli for a job in the army said, he visited the Army Headquarters to file a complaint, after being left-out in a recruitment, however, senior army officials allegedly told him to engage the King’s Protocol officer politely.
Mdluli is alleged to be demanding about fifty-thousands Rands(R50,000.00) for jobs in the security forces.
“The army officials told me to engage Mdluli politely, ngimncenge kahle ngitawusitakala,” said the alleged aspiring soldier.
But this investigative journalist has seen an alleged secret list of the Protocol Officer, with names of job seekers, some allegedly paid money while others surrendered their land or plots to Mdluli.
As a result, some of the job seekers are already working in the security forces being the Police, Correctional Services and the Army.
The information in our possession further alleged that the Protocol Officer also uses his mother identified as Angel Shongwe-Mdluli, an employeee of Ndabazabantu(National Court) at Pigg’s Peak and one, Correctional Services Officer and Imbali leader Nonduduzo Zubuko as his agents.
Efforts to reach both Zubuko and the Protocol Officer’s mother proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
But on the allegations of taking bribes for Cabinet positions, one royal insider very close to the King and Mdluli further alleged that, the Protocol Officer holds meetings at a Guest House known as First World-Ngwane Park.
It has been disclosed that one prominent figure who consistently met Mdluli was Siboniso Nkambule, the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Nkambule, it is alleged,aspires to be appointed into the next Cabinet.
The royal insider further told that sometimes, King Mswati would rely on people he trust next to him,to recommend names of individuals who ‘qualifies’ to be appointed into political positions.
As a result, the insider said,Protocol Officer Khandlela Mdluli was taking that advantage to enrich himself.
“These days, Khandlela is meeting Siboniso, the PS in the Ministry of Commerce, kufuneka tinkhundla kubi,” said a royal insider.
Responding to questions Siboniso Nkambule, the PS in the Ministry of Commerce denied meeting the King’s Protocol Officer, he said, he had never met Mdluli in his entire life.
“I’ve never met Khandlela Mdluli in my entire life,” said the PS in the Ministry of Commerce.
Reached for comments on Tuesday morning, King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said such corruption allegations normally ‘re-surface’ ahead of political appointments with individuals claiming to have met the King or those close to him.
The King’s Spokesperson said, a list for political appointments, is normally prepared by the King’s Advisory bodies, not by individuals.
“With no intention to buy anyone out of these allegations I must say there is usually so many of them around this time.Our experience is that even those who have not heard from or seen the King for over two(2) years, claim to have just spoken to him on sorting to fill positions, or claim to have spoken to someone close to the King for same for a fee.It would be therefore difficult for me to know what exactly is happening here and why and how Mr Mdluli’s name has been used.Officially and normally, the list in question is brought to the King by his advisory bodies for approval and not by individuals. As short as to tell I am blank about the alleged payments constituting the corruption in question,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
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