King Mswati’s forthcoming overseas journey with his new wife, Inkhosikati Nomcebo Zuma, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is expected to cost taxpayers more than R200 million.
According to Swaziland News, the costs include allowances for the delegation that will accompany the monarch, flying expenses for the private plane, and spending money for the king and his new 21-year-old wife.
The publication said that King Mswati left the kingdom on Sunday to attend the World Food Forum in Italy. He will next travel to Serbia on a state visit before attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
Meanwhile, Percy Simelane, the King’s spokesperson, informed the journal that his office was not in charge of the King and his delegation’s funds or allowances, and that any comments should be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the publication, efforts to contact Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, who is also a member of the King’s team, were fruitless.
According to the magazine, Zuma’s daughter allegedly invited her friends and family in the delegation.
However, insiders said Zuma’s side of the family was included so that the new young wife would not feel lonely on the trip.
The King of eSwatini requested Zuma’s daughter for her hand in marriage, according to reports from July.
Nomcebo’s mother is a businesswoman known only as MaMhlongo.
During the early phases, a delegation comprised of senior members of the eSwatini and Zulu Royal families paid a visit to Zuma’s house in Nkandla and offered 10 cattle in accordance with “kucela” customs.
According to The Mercury, a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that King Mswati first saw Nomcebo during last year’s 55-55 celebrations.
