James Hall
In traditional Swazi culture, when death or illness strike, a supernatural cause is suspected. A physical condition may be the agent of destruction, but it is set in motion by malignant people, invariably using witchcraft.
When a Swazi king falls ill, those who are in close proximity to him, from palace staff to royal counsellors and relatives, grow nervous.
“It is just a matter of time before one of us is suspected of poisoning the king,” says a cook at one of the royal residences. Three palace cooks were suspended following the as yet unknown illness of King Mswati III, which began last month while he visited his house at Hlane Royal Game Reserve.
Public concern grew acute last week when for the first time the king’s birthday, a public holiday, was cancelled.
“The axe fell on LaMbikisa,” said Gladys Smith, a friend of Mswati’s third of seven wives. “It is not the first time.”
Smith describes the inkhositaki (literally “female of the king”) as the Princess Diana of the House of Dlamini, someone whom palace traditionalists have loathed since she expressed a desire to marry Mswati in a Western church wedding rather than by customary ritual.
When one of Mswati’s children died the palace intrigue machinery rumoured the child was drowned in a swimming pool by LaMbikisa.
At that time, like this week when she stood accused not only in the royal court but also in the court of public opinion of poisoning her husband, she departed tearfully for the solace of her father, a London diplomat, whom she visits regularly.
Even when there is no accusation of perfidy attached to her departure, like an extended trip to England last year to receive medical treatment, the rumour mill insists that she is fleeing the kingdom to escape palace disapproval.
There is no evidence that the queen poisoned the head of state, and no attempt by rumour mongers to attach a logical motive.
Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini felt compelled to deny a South African press report that LaMbikisa is an assassin, but the palace has steadfastly refused to say what is ailing Mswati.