Army
personnel in Swaziland have been forced to make a contribution from their
salaries towards the cost King Mswati III’s 50th birthday
celebration.
Swaziland,
where the King rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, is marking
the King’s birthday and the 50th anniversary of independence from
Great Britain with a so-called 50/50 celebration on 19 April 2018.
According to the Times of Swaziland, the only independent daily
newspaper in the kingdom, private soldiers have to pay E100; corporals E110; lieutenants
E270; and generals E600 (US$51).
Earlier
in March it was revealed that police officers were being forced
to contribute. A constable will
have to contribute E50, with payments of E100 from sergeants and E150 from
assistant inspectors. Inspectors and assistant superintendents will contribute
E200 and E300 respectively while superintendents, E400.
The money will be used towards paying the US$7.5
million the Swazi Government will pay for a fleet of luxury BMW cars to
transport dignitaries on the day. The cost of the cars alone bust
the US$1.7 million budget the government allowed itself for the
festivities.
See also
50/50
CELEBRATION BUSTS BUDGET
POLICE FORCED TO PAY FOR 50/50 JUBILEE
CALL FOR CASH TO FUND 50/50 CELEBRATIONS
50/50: LEARN LESSON OF PAST DISASTER
TOWN
TIDIES UP FOR KING’S BIRTHDAY
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