By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Lusendvo Fakudze, the Ludzidzini Royal Residence Governor said to the best of his knowledge removing a hat when entering a house, a homestead or any office demonstrate respect and humility.

Speaking exclusively to this Swaziland News later this afternoon, the Governor said he was not aware that Swazis were forced to remove their hats whenever they see the picture of His Majesty the King but clarified that it was a principle of respect to remove a hat when entering any office. He was asked to comment on the matter of Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) who was allegedly detained by the police for refusing to remove his cap to demonstrate respect for the King’s picture at Sandlane Boarder Gate. 

“It’s not about the King’s picture Nkhosi and I don’t want to comment on that because I am not aware that Swazis are forced to remove their hats specifically for the King’s picture. What I know is that it’s a sign of respect to remove your hat whenever you enter a homestead, a house or any office, it’s just a demonstration of humility” said the Governor.

The Governor said only police officers and other members of the security forces who are not expected to remove their uniform hats because of the nature of their job.

SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini told this publication in an earlier interview that that police at the boarder gate detained him, he was forced to remove his cap to demonstrate respect for the King’s picture.

“When I asked why should I remove it, they showed me the picture of the King on the wall saying that was the reason I should remove my cap. They did the same thing in the morning on my way to South Africa and harassed me and now they are detaining me. As we speak, they are refusing depriving me to have my passport stamped because of that” he said.

But Superintendent Phindile Valakati, the eSwatini police Spokesperson refuted that the SNAT President was harassed, she said it was an international requirement to remove the hat for identification purposes when crossing the border.

 “Every person is instructed to remove hat for identification and comparison with passport. The ICAO(International Civil Aviation Organization prescribe the immigration standards” she said.