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Ex-Ndebele king joins army

30/05/2011 00:00:00 LUCKY TSABEDZE

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MBABANE – The disputed king of the Ndebele people has been recruited and trained by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF), as a soldier.

The erstwhile Mabhoko III has been undergoing training at the Mbuluzi Army barracks.

His stay was kept secret by senior army officials. The Ndebele king recently passed out along with ordinary Swazi soldiers at Bethany, without much fanfare as the public didn’t know a king was passing out.

The passing out parade was also attended by King Mswati III, as in every year.

His training was treated as a secret for fear that it would draw media attention in South Africa, his country of birth. Mabhoko was installed as the king of the Ndebele people after the death of his father, King Mayithja III, in 2005. His reign was punctuated with controversy, with some sections of the Ndebele people complaining that the then-24-year old man was disregarding certain rituals.

The Ndebele ex-king’s birth name is Mahlubi, the name with which he is called by his fellow soldiers as he has already assumed duty.

When reached for comment, the USDF was cagey on the matter, preferring that comments be sought from acting Ludzidzini Governor TV Mtetwa.

"This matter is not for me to comment on. I would suggest you get in touch with TV Mtetwa on this matter," said Army PRO Major Khanya Dlamini.

A well placed source said the move to have the ex-Ndebele king join the army could have been made possible by royalty, which explains why USDF preferred not to comment on the issue. It was also established that last week after passing out, the former king is already working.

When reached for comment the acting Ludzidzini governor said it was news to him that the ex-Ndebele king is with the army.

"I have not heard that he has joined the army. It is so unfortunate that I am not aware of this development," said Mtetwa.

It is alleged that ex-king had a troublesome reign as the leader of the Ndebele people. Elders suspended him amid allegations that he was ‘rebellious’ and did not respect Ndebele traditions. His reign lasted less than a year.

His presence in the country was first brought to the fore by the Swazi News two years ago, when reports alleged that he had fled from the Ndebele people to hide in Swaziland. At the time Royal authorities, when quizzed over the young man’s presence, said he was in the country because he was being groomed for his role as the leader of the Ndebele people.

However, two years later, it can be confirmed that Mabhoko III has actually been dethroned amid claims that he was rebellious.

USDF procedures may have been flaunted

MBABANE – The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF) may have flaunted its own procedures by recruiting the once Ndebele king into the force.

Besides being medically fit, the USDF requires aspiring soldiers to be Swazi citizens.

A very informed source insisted that the requirement of being 100 per cent Swazi is very strict.

The ousted Ndebele king, whose reign lasted for only a year before being suspended, ascended the Nzunza monarchy after the death of his father King Mayitjha III.

"That he was regarded as the king of the Ndebele means he is totally South African. We may not know the connections he has in the country, but I doubt the Ndebele would want a Swazi national to lead them," said a soldier who was training with him at the Mbuluzi Barracks.

USDF Public Relations Officer Major Khanya Dlamini would not comment on the matter when quizzed.

However, the army’s general procedure used to recruit soldiers is that the aspiring soldier should be Swazi and medically fit; to stand the pressures that come with the job.

Hundreds of Swazis have had the dream of joining the army shattered after failing the medical tests, which have recently included the controversial HIV tests.

The one-time king of the Ndebele people is the son of Princess Sphila, the daughter of King Sobhuza II.

According to a website of the Ndebele, Mabhoko III during his time with the Ndebele people was part of the Thula regiments.

The website also states that the Ndebele monarchy has been contested since the death of King Mayithja III who died in 2005.

Comments

Mr Lucky Tsabedze, you are an utter disgrace to all journalists out there. Your job is to investigate a story before printing a National paper. There are so many things wrong with this excuse of an article! His name is not Mahlubi, he is not in Swaziland, infact he only went to Swaziland in April (& returned to RSA after 3 days) after 1yr away from Swaziland. In february, he was handed his certificate of Kingship from RSA government. That is something which can be confirmed!! Get your facts right before you start typing away, do your job instead of feeding Swazi's with imaginery information. Your editor is just as faulty as you because you even go to the extent of confirming that he is "not a King as he was dethroned! Your editor should have made sure of this, this is a King you are speaking of and you should have ensured that all you wrote was truthful. My advice to you - Do your job!!
May 30, 2011, 11:45 AM, Sies! (sminjod@hotmail.com)