KING MAKES ‘MAJOR’ APPOINTMENTS

MBABANE – Standing out from the rest of the appointees into emabandla is Prophet Vusumuzi ‘Major V’ Dlamini who now advises the King.

Known for making controversial statements and run-ins with pro-political reforms’ advocates, the prophet, who recently reported to have lost 2 000 church members, has been honoured by the head of State. He is now a member of the supreme council, Liqoqo and one of his major tasks is to form part of an advisory council recommending the appointment of the prime minister to the King as explicitly stated in Section 67 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. “The King shall appoint the prime minister from among members of the House acting on recommendation of the King’s Advisory Council,” reads Section 67 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini), which places this responsibility on the shoulders of ‘Major V’ and his colleagues at Liqoqo.

His name was announced yesterday at a presser convened by the Attorney General (AG), Sifiso Mashamphu Khumalo, an ex-officio member of Cabinet, who is also the principal legal advisor for Ingwenyama and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.Born on October 9, 1980, Dlamini joins 19 others whom the King appointed to Liqoqo. Hearing the news of his appointment, ‘Major V’, beaming with joy and sheer surprise, rhetorically remarked: “how am I going to preach tomorrow (today) because I’m extremely happy?” He is the only noticeable face among the 70 members of emabandla who were announced yesterday at the AG’s office in Mbabane.

One of the observable appointments was that of Themba Ginindza, as chairman of the Ludzidzini Royal Council, which advises Her Majesty Indlovukazi. Ginindza’s appointment meant that Chief Mdlaka Gamedze was no longer the chairman of the Ludzidzini Royal Council. This position is usually held by the governor of Ludzidzini Royal Residence, who is also referred to as the traditional prime minister. The traditional prime minister’s post is still vacant after the death of Jim Mbhokane Gama in March 2011. Timothy Velabo Mtetwa acted as the governor of Ludzidzini Royal Residence until his demise in October 2017 at the age of 93. Since the death of Gama, the King has not confirmed anyone to the position of governor of the country’s traditional headquarters.

Businesswoman

His Majesty has appointed former senator and businesswoman Thandi Maziya to chair the Land Management Board (LMB), a position that was held by Prince Mguciso.Prince Mguciso is  not a member of any councils and commissions announced yesterday. It remains to be seen if he will join the Border Restoration Committee which is yet to be appointed. Prince David has been redeployed to Liqoqo. At the time of the deployment, the former minister of justice and constitutional affairs was serving as chairman of the Border Restoration Committee, which is yet to be appointed by the King.Archbishop Makhosini Mavovo Mkhonto moves from the Royal Board of Trustees to  another distinguishable appointment was that of Dr Noah Nhleko (PhD) as secretary to the Prince Guduza-led Minerals Management Board (MMB). He becomes the secretary of the Board by virtue of being the commissioner of mines.
Dr Nhleko’s appointment directly sends a signal to the nation that Robert Biyela is no longer the commissioner of mines. He (Nhleko) served as chief geologist  at the Geological Surveys and Mines under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. He obtained his PhD in Geology and Earth Science from Randse Afrikaanse Univetsiteit (Rand Afrikaans University). It is now official that Lydia Dlamini will not be confirmed to the position of national commissioner of police as His Majesty the King has appointed her into Liqoqo.

Vacancy

It means there is a vacancy at the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and it remains to be seen who will be at the helm among the senior police officers there. The buck stops with the King. Hlobisile Ndlovu, the former Cabinet minister, retains her position as a member of the Ludzidzini Royal Council. Roughly, over 90 per cent of the appointees are notably familiar faces who have previously been appointed, with swaps, redeployments and member-retention featuring prominently on the list unveiled by AG Khumalo at the presser. Some of the appointments created vacancies, including the redeployment or return of Peter Mamba to Liqoqo, the council where he began his political career in 1996. Mamba, the former Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, has been serving the State as a regional administrator for Shiselweni, the equivalent of a provincial governor in South Africa. It means there is a vacancy in Shiselweni.

The appointment of Princess Sibahle into the Simanga Mamba-chaired CSC may also have created an opening at the Eswatini Electricity Board (EEC) where she is a Board member.
Moses Hlophe, the proprietor of VIP Dry Cleaners, has moved from Liqoqo to the Royal Board of Trustees, whose chairperson is Neal Rijkenberg by virtue of being the minister of finance. The Board of Trustees has the likes of Martin Gobizandla Dlamini, the former Minister of Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini. Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze is an ex-officio member by virtue of being the Chief Officer at the King’s Office. Former Senate President Gelane Zwane and Vuka Moi Moi Masilela are still in the picture as His Majesty the King appointed them to serve the State as members of Liqoqo. The late Prince Mahlaba’s sons, Sibhimbi and Jomo are members of Liqoqo and CSC respectively. Reverend Nhlanhla Hlatshwayo who usually directs proceedings during royal church services which are held at Mandvulo Grand Hall in Lozitha is now a member of the CSC.

Defence

Ingwenyama has also appointed Prince Hlangabeza as national chief defence officer, a position equivalent to that of a minister. In actual fact, Prince Hlangabeza is the Minister of Defence, a position that was held by his brother, Prince Hlangusemphi who died in 2022.Other notable appointees were Sonnyboy Masende Zwane who has served in the royal councils, defunct Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and Senate. Moses Mathendele Dlamini who was relieved of his duties alongside the late Sam Mkhombe retains his position in the Ludzidzini Council. Mathendele is a former diplomat and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. He is a stalwart and defender of the Tinkhundla System of Government.
During his tenure in office as the country’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN), he returned to the country on vacation, pointing out that he laid bare the beauty of the Tinkhundla System of Government before Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former UN Secretary General. Ghali, an Egyptian, died on February 6, 2016 aged 93.

It must be said that the Ludzidzini Council has notably two former army commanders in Mangomeni Ndzimandze and Sobantu Dlamini. Former King Sobhuza II’s chauffer Mhlambanyatsi Dlamini of Maphalaleni has also been reappointed into the Ludzidzini Council. Mhlambanyatsi caused laughter during last year’s People’s Parliament when he stood up in defence of the Dlaminis, saying the highly privileged and critical positions are reserved for emalangeni (Dlaminis) – umgcwebe weMalangeni. Sibusiso Shongwe, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, whom the King dismissed during the Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini-administration, is back in the limelight as he retains his position in the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

The senior Mbabane-based attorney returns to TSC after his short term which began in June last year.  Prince Nhlonipho is the secretary of the Ludzidzini Council while Mandla Dlamini is poised to retaining his position as secretary of Liqoqo. Returning to the TSC is Dr Amos Mahlalela who is still the chairman. Dr Mahlalela is the former principal of Ngwane Teachers College in Nhlangano. He retains his position with Nkosilenhle Dlamini, the spokesperson of the Ingwenyama Cup, which is sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
Reverend Grace Masilela is still in the mix as the King reappointed into the Board of Trustees while Ncumbi Maziya returns to the Ludzidzini Council where he was a member from 2018. Maziya served as commissioner of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).  

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