A new twist in the scandal engulfing Lutfo Dlamini, who was sacked on Thursday as Swaziland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, emerged yesterday (14 January 2011).
It is reported that he and Phesheya Dlamini, Swaziland’s (now ex-) Ambassador to Kuwait, stole money that was intended as a personal gift from the Kuwati Royal Family to allow King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, to buy himself a private jet.
The latest accusation comes from the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) which reported, ‘The king apparently wanted another private aeroplane in order to be able to use the one he currently owns for business purposes.’
It added, ‘The Kuwati Royal Family initially deposited ten million dollars to a private account belonging to the King. The remainder was meant to be delivered by the minister and the ambassador, who both decided to pocket the money for themselves. The ambassador did not waste time in making the most of his new found wealth as he reportedly spent two months living in a five-star hotel.’
Previously, it was thought a sum of US$ 1 million intended for King Mswati had been stolen and that it was meant to help Swaziland in its present dire economic circumstances.
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