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His Majesty fires 7 soldiers

28/10/2011 00:00:00 BANELE DLAMINI

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MBABANE - His Majesty King Mswati III has fired Colonel Wilson Magengane Khumalo from the army.

He is one of seven soldiers who have been dismissed from the Swaziland Umbutfo Defence Force.

Otherwise known as ‘Mdzu’ he is also MP Marwick Khumalo’s brother and he has been fired along with six other soldiers.

The other officers whose services have been terminated include Lieutenant Kusa Ngwenya, who was arrested together with Khumalo and three others in connection with a E310 000 fraud case in September 2010. These were officers stationed at the Swaziland Umbutfo Defence Force (USDF) air-wing department, at Matsapha.

Legal Notice No.163 of 2011 announced the dismissal of Khumalo and Ngwenya under the title ‘The Termination of the Term of Service and Commission of Officers’.

The notice states; "In the exercise of the powers conferred by Section (15) and (9) of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Order, 1977, I Mswati III, King and Ingwenyama of Swaziland, terminate the term of service and commission of the following officers - Colonel Wilson Magengane Khumalo; and Lieutenant Kusa Ngwenya."

Their dismissal is with effect from November 1, 2011.

Prior to being expelled from the army, the two and their co-accused in the fraud case were suspended for six months.

Later they successfully challenged their suspension on the grounds that six months had elapsed and the High Court ordered they be reinstated to their respective positions.

They were accused of corrupt practices, occurring between 2007 and 2009.

Lance Corporal Sandile Myalo Dlamini and Private Makhosonkhe Sihlongonyane have also been relieved of their duties.

Their sacking is contained in Legal Notice No.164 of 2011.

It is with effect from Tuesday next week.

Another legal notice, No.165 of 2011, announces the firing of three other soldiers with effect from the same day.

These are Privates Nkosikayikhethi Nxumalo, Vusi Hlatshwako and Mpendulo Mngomezulu.

Dismissal in public’s interest - Army PRO

MBABANE - Army PRO Major Khanya Dlamini has said the dismissal of the seven soldiers is in the public’s interest.

He confirmed that indeed they have been relieved of their duties. Dlamini said the officers were not all from the army’s air wing department. "It did happen. However, they are not all from the air wing. They are from four different departments. They were discharged in the interest of the public. They had committed various crimes that led to the army discharging them," he said. He said three officers of the rank Private being; Nkosikayikhethi Nxumalo, Vusi Hlatshwako and Mpendulo Mngomezulu were stationed at the army garage at Phocweni. Also from Phocweni is Private Makhosonkhe Sihlongonyane. Lance Corporal Sandile Myalo Dlamini is to have been based in Nhlangano. On the other hand, Colonel Wilson Magengane Khumalo and Lieutenant Kusa Ngwenya were serving at the army’s air wing.

The two were arrested in 2010 together with three other soldiers for allegedly committing fraud of E310 000.

Princes Sicalo, Lindani, 25 others promoted

MBABANE - Princes Sicalo and Lindani have been promoted in the army.

The two princes are serving in the Swaziland Umbutfo Defence Force and their promotion will become effective from November 1, 2011.

They have been promoted by His Majesty King Mswati III, along with 27 other soldiers.

Prince Lindani, listed as Lindani Dlamini in Legal Notice No.166, has been promoted from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to that of Lieutenant.

The second-born of Inkhosikati LaMbikiza passed out in 2009, along with a contingent of 795 recruits.

During the pass-out he received an award related to ‘exhibiting humbly and soldierly spirit’.

After completing his training regime in the country, Prince Lindani then enrolled at the prestigious English officers’ training facility, the Sandhurst Military Academy.

His brother, listed as Sicalo N. Dlamini, received a similar promotion.

Prince Sicalo returned to Swaziland earlier this year from Libya where he was training at the start of the uprising which led to the toppling and eventual death of former President Muammar Gaddafi.

Four other soldiers were promoted from the same rank as the princes; from 2nd Lieutenant to full Lieutenant.

These are Mduduzi Shongwe, Nhlanganiso Khumalo, Seith Ngcobo and Phumzile Skhosana.

Two officers; Mduduzi Niel Mlotsa and Emmanuel Khumalo, have been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel from the position of Major.

Tsembeni Magongo has been promoted from the position of Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel.

Comments

Sicalo and Lindani have no experience why promote them. This is what is called corruption and in Swaziland is called promotion!!!! Sabelo Dlamini
Oct 28, 2011, 11:06 AM, Sabelo Dlamini (dlaminisabelo46@yahoo.com)

This fired soldiers can assist political parties like PUDEMO, Jani Sithole's party. There is a home for you in political parties. Sabelo Dlamini
Oct 28, 2011, 11:06 AM, Sabelo Dlamini (dlaminisabelo46@yahoo.com)

Just as the case is with the appointment of the PM's son-in-law, this is nepotism! The 2 princes are new in the army. There are lots of officers who are working diigently but are not even recognised in the army despite being there for many years! Then the princes come, they hardly a year old but have been promoted> Cry the beloved country, asiyindzawo ngale nepotism, let's get promotions through merit and not by being umusa wabani!
Oct 28, 2011, 11:06 AM, Lord Anthony (anthonym198@gmail.com)

Singabuye sitsini malangeni emazinyane aya gronywa khona atasiphatsa. Munye utakuba ngundvunankhulu welive angitsi kuyabonakala kutsi emaswati sekadzinga umphatsi lotakuhola ngensimbi nje nga gadafu.
Oct 28, 2011, 11:06 AM, mbutfo (welcome2sd@yahoo.com)