Swazi royal heaps criticism on new airport

MBABANE – Sikhupe Airport, Swaziland’s new international air facility under construction far from the capital Mbabane, drew criticism last week from an unlikely source: Prince Guduza Dlamini, King Mswati’s older brother. “The Sikhupe Airport is a waste of funds. There was poor budgeting,” the prince said, delivering the keynote address at a farewell function for cabinet officers. He also criticised the escalating cost of the Mbabane highway to the Oshoek border post. The prince himself is a cabinet minister, holding the Home Affairs portfolio. As such he formed part of the decision-making team of an outgoing cabinet whose principal achievement was to push forward the controversial airport project. Baffled media and government observers wondered where the criticism was coming from, whether it was the prince’s personal opinion raised too late to have an effect or perhaps represented new thinking from the royal family as the airport’s December 2009 date for opening appears increasingly improbable and its half a billion rand cost mounts. King Mswati has always publicly supported the airport, and has appointed ministers who proceeded full-speed with the project, undaunted by the absence of a single air carrier that wishes to use the facility.