Premier saves king's face
2003-08-10 10:20
Johannesburg - The premier of Kwazulu-Natal, Lionel Mtshali, has intervened to prevent some of King Goodwill Zwelethini's personal effects from being auctioned to cover personal debts, the City Press reported on Sunday.
The newspaper said the auction was ordered by the KwaNongoma magistrate's court after the king failed to settle at least five personal debts.
Nomgoma sheriff Rene Reed confirmed that goods had already been seized from Zwelethini's KwaKhangela and Khetha palaces. The property would have been auctioned off on the pavement in front of the court, had Mtshali not intervened.
Said Mtshali's spokesman, Mahlathi Tembe: "Premier Mtshali personally ordered the head of the royal household, Dr Eric Gumbi, to settle the debt."
Officials at Zwelethini's son's exclusive school, Michaelhouse in Pietermaritzburg, confirmed that R93 834 was owed for the prince's education last year.
City Press reported that three hotels in Sandton were owed money, while a fifth judgment stemmed from a doctor not having been paid for treating Zwelethini.
The Sunday Sun said Zwelethini costs South African taxpayers about R20m a year.
- SAPA