'Palace was like prison'
2004-07-18 09:26
Johannesburg - She may be queen of the Swazi kingdom, but Delisa Magwaza, 30 - one of the two queens who has allegedly fled from King Mswati - has led the uncharmed life of prisoner in the palace.
The unhappy picture emerged this week during an exclusive interview with the princess' bitter parents and a friend in Swaziland.
City Press was told that:
She has been ill for the past two years;
Her parents have been prevented from seeing or talking to her;
On the odd occasion that they were able to see her, bodyguards made it impossible to have a private conversation;
She wants out of her royal marriage;
She has left her two daughters behind as she feels their father, the monarch, can better afford to maintain them; and
She stands to lose the R10m mansion in Swaziland, to be built for each of Mswati's queens La Magwaza is one of two queens who have left Swaziland allegedly over concerns about contracting HIV/Aids.
The other is the South African-born Putsoana Hoala, known as La Hwale, who has been staying in Protea North, Soweto, for the past three weeks.
It is understood that at the root of the unprecedented royal rebellion is the never ending addition of young girls to Mswati's royal list.
La Magwaza is "extremely sick", according to her father Japhta Magwaza.
She is believed to be receiving treatment for her undisclosed illness in London.
He said Mswati owed the Magwaza family a "big explanation".
He further suggested that City Press speak to the Swazi governor in charge of royal matters, Jim Gama.
Gama did not want to discuss the royal revolt.