Over forty(40) years ago, King Sobhuza was approached by a group of women street vendors who appealed against a decision by the Mbabane Municipality to unleash security guards and, the police to harass them merely for selling fruits and vegetables on the streets without a trading license.
The women vendors allegedly said “Sisite Ngwenyama lapha sihlushwa nguMasipala utfumela emaphoyisa asigijimise asemuke tintfo tetfu lesititsengisako, asibophe aphindze asikhiphe”.
King Sobhuza listened carefully as the women made the presentation and asked again; “nitsi banentani?. Bayanibopha baphindze banikhulule?.
The women replied saying; “Bayethe wena Waphakathi, kunjalo basemuka tintfo tetfu, basibophe baphindze basikhulule”.
Well King Sobhuza was a brilliant and a known “licili” others call it wisdom, he knew how to resolve conflicts but without compromising the interests of the Monarchy and in this situation, he had to ensure that the women “leave the meeting happy” and at the same time, without throwing his police officers who were enforcing the law, under the bus.
The King who was escorted by the police and other security officers standing behind him, allegedly gazed at the women vendors with amusement and said;
“Ewu nincono nine bayanibopha baphindze banikhulule, bukani lamvakwami, mine sooooolo ngaboshwa!, alikho lamahhala”.
But in the junior police officers Phase two(II) salary increment context, I am trying to emphasize that, King Mswati cannot leave the Palace and went on to personally negotiate and sign a settlement with the junior cops, he relies on his trusted servants to do the work on behalf of Government.
The King is also under siege in such matters, he can issue an order directing Government to implement the 2014 Circular only to find that, those around him systematically defies him to push their own corrupt agendas, “Inkhosi yaboshwa ngoba nayo iyabikelwa, lesinye sikhatsi itjelwe emanga”.
In this particular issue, I was already in the media when the issue of Phase two(II) was discussed over ten(10) years ago and I know exactly what happened in this matter.
The King is clean in this matter, he approved and endorsed Phase two for the welfare of all police officers but the money was looted by the alleged political thieves.
It wasn’t a surprise to see Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko misleading the Nation saying three percent(3%) is Phase two, they were rushing to announce a settlement before the Police Day Celebration and perhaps, the King commanded the PM and National Commissioner Vusi Masango to resolve this issue.
But it’s an outright lie to suggest that, junior police officers signed an agreement with Government and agreed to accept 3% as Phase two while senior officers received more, the 2014 Circular is clearly documented and it must be implemented in its original form.
What happened here and I will articulate it in siSwati for better understanding; “Lo-3% kufana nekutsi iNkhosi inike emaphoyisa sibindzi nemhlubulo wonkhe wenyama yenkhomo, bafike baphatsi badle lenyama banike bantfwana ematsambo kutsi nabo badle with the hope kutsi iNkhosi itawubabona labantfwana bagwevile nge-Police Day bese itsi badlile”.
King Mswati.