KINSHASA, AFRICA 7 September 2009: South African President Jacob Zuma (L), Joseph Kabila (M) and King Mswati III from Swaziland (R) attend the opening of the 29th Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday 7 September 2009. Zuma called on Southern African countries to work more closely to counter the effects of the global economic crisis and stated that member countries had little chance of weathering the crisis on their own. Regarding Zimbabwe, Zuma urged Zimbabwes political parties to remove obstacles blocking the implementation of a power sharing agreement and stated that significant progress has been made in the agreement between the two rival political parties. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Waldimar Pelser)
Gaddafi’s missing millions: Eswatini wants proof of King Mswati III admittance
King Mswati III’s government has challenged the Sunday Times to come forth with proof of his admittance.
KINSHASA, AFRICA 7 September 2009: South African President Jacob Zuma (L), Joseph Kabila (M) and King Mswati III from Swaziland (R) attend the opening of the 29th Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday 7 September 2009. Zuma called on Southern African countries to work more closely to counter the effects of the global economic crisis and stated that member countries had little chance of weathering the crisis on their own. Regarding Zimbabwe, Zuma urged Zimbabwes political parties to remove obstacles blocking the implementation of a power sharing agreement and stated that significant progress has been made in the agreement between the two rival political parties. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Waldimar Pelser)
The tale of Gaddafi’s missing millions just took another turn. On the same day that former president Jacob Zuma broke his silence on the scandal, Eswatini — on behalf of King Ms
The Sunday Times, three days ago, published a spread on how Zuma had allegedly been harbouring $30-million, in cash, for Libya’s late dictator, Muammar Gaddafi.
Why Zuma and King Mswati III have been implicated
This large sum of cash, according to the publication, was given to Zuma for safekeeping, in case Gaddafi would need legal assistance in the United States. However, the ruler was murdered by NATO operatives in a 2011 raid.
According to unidentified sources that the publication supposedly spoke to, the large sum of cash was allegedly kept in Zuma’s Nkandla bunker, the same place he had prohibited former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, from entering during a search her office had conducted in the former president’s home.
The publication also alleged that Zuma had, at some point, moved the millions to Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), where its safekeeping was the alleged responsibility of King Mswati III.
it was further alleged that the king, after denying any knowledge of the missing millions, had confided in President Cyril Ramaphosa, on his visit on 4 March, that he, in fact, was in possession of the money.
Gaddafi’s missing millions: King Mswati III wants proof
This news sent a shockwave of interest all around the world, as political leaders pressured South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) to launch an urgent probe into this.
Meanwhile, both the former president and King Mswati III wanted answers from the publication about their alleged involvement in this scandal.
Zuma took to Twitter, accusing the publication of spreading false information about his ‘brother’ (Gaddafi).
Sigh! I owe millions in legal fees… I’ve asked you to assist with that one title deed in order for me to sell that house. I now hear that I have been keeping money belonging to my late brother Gaddafi. Where’s this money because His Majesty knows nothing about it? https://t.co/HputtXav1f
— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) April 9, 2019
The king of Eswatini, on the other hand, wanted proof of the communication he had allegedly had with the publication.
BREAKING NEWS: King Mswati demands answers after @SundayTimesZA claimed he confirmed with Pres Ramaphosa that received Gaddafi millions from Nkandla. He wants SA Gov to explain whn did he confirm as he knows NOTHING about it Journalists @QaanitahHunter & @caiphusK_11 must explain pic.twitter.com/KZHtOgmLuw
— White Man Confession (@ConfessionWhite) April 9, 2019
The Eswatini government spokesperson, Percy Simelane, challenged to publication to reveal evidence of this interaction before they can comment or act any further.
“It is that evidence that will make the story credible to us,” Simelane told the Times of Swaziland.
