King Goodwill owes wedding planner R1.6m

The man who put together King Goodwill Zwelithini’s wedding to Queen Zola Zesuliwe kaMafu in July this year has not been paid in full.

The outstanding bill of R1.6 million has left Sizwe Gwala of Xolisisizwe Trading and Projects cash-strapped and if the bill is not settled soon he could be out of business.

The subcontractors he hired were also pressuring him to pay up. Some have threatened to go to court while one of them has seized his business vehicle until the bill is settled.

Gwala said the KwaZulu-Natal Royal Household Trust had promised on numerous occasions to pay him, but had failed to do so.

"I am a small contractor who demonstrated great capacity and potential in putting together such a massive function in just three days. However not being paid for more than 60 days is too much for my cash flow.

"I am aware this might come as an embarrassment to His Majesty, but what recourse does one have? People must know how shabbily small contractors are treated. This type of thing puts you out of business."

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Gwala, who is on the government’s data base, was called by the Royal Trust to tender for co-ordinating the wedding, which was held in Ulundi.

On July 23, just three days before the wedding, Gwala received a letter confirming his services from the Trust’s acting chief financial officer Bonginkosi Qunta.

He was asked to install the facilities he had quoted for by Friday, July 25 – a day before the wedding.

Gwala initially quoted R1.6 million to organise the wedding. He received a deposit of R500 000 leaving R1.1m outstanding.

Qunta also asked for written confirmation that Gwala would accept payment in three equal monthly instalments.

"I am certain that you understand the urgency and importance of this process and that time is of the essence," wrote Qunta in the fax.

However, when Gwala got to the site the initial brief had changed. The guest list had increased and he had to provide more VIP toilets, marquees and décor, ordinary toilets and video feeds.

He also upgraded the outdoor sound system and the large TV screen for outdoor display.

Gwala said the new aspects posed a logistical and procurement challenge. It also cost more – R971 000 more than the initial quote.

He received R450 000 with an agreement that the remaining amount on the second invoice would be paid over a two-month period starting at the end of July.

"So the invoices were to be paid concurrently but separately on a two-month and three-month basis respectively. That was the last time I heard from them," he said.

The Trust now owes Gwala just over R1.1m on the first invoice and over R500 000 on the second invoice.

"At one time I drove to their offices in Durban with some of the contractors, but I was told they had left early because of a power outage," he said.

Qunta said the trust had a funding problem.

"This month the department transferred less than what they should have. As a result of this under transfer, the trust has delayed payment to its suppliers.

"The premier through the Office of the Premier is in the process of resolving this funding issue. I believe that soon this will be resolved and suppliers will be paid as expected," said Qunta.

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