Swaziland: King Mswati's 12th wife dies

By Phathizwe Zulu

MBABANE,Swaziland – The king of Swaziland's wife number 12 has died, officials said Friday.

Acting Ludzidzini Royal Resident Governor Lusendvo Fakudze did not divulge the nature of death on national radio, nor when Nothando The laDube died, because if royal protocol.

Fakudze said the queen will be buried Sunday on a mountain, according to royal burial rites.

Nothando laDube was wedded to King Mswati in 2005 at the age of 17 and had three children.

News of her death circulated on social media as early Friday.

She participated in the 2004 Miss Teen Eswatini beauty pageant before she was chosen to be the king's fiance later that year, amid protest from groups claiming she was underage.

Dube made international headlines when she was involved in an extramarital affair with a government minister who was later fired.

She told international media she was ejected from the palace but was later admitted back in by king.

She was reportedly under house arrest and media published pictures which proved she had romantic relationship with the minister.

She is the second wife of the king to die in 11 months, after queen Senteni Masango died last April.

The king's polygamous lifestyle has been widely criticized by gender and human rights organizations, accusing him of marrying young girls and living lavishly while the majority of those in Swaziland live in poverty.