Swaziland king's wife kicked out: report

JOHANNESBURG, Sunday

Swaziland's king Mswati III's 12th wife said Sunday she has been kicked out of the palace after pepper-spraying a security guard.

Nothando Dube, also known by the royal name inkhosikati LaDube, was ordered to "immediately leave the palace' by royal governor Timothy Mthethwa and other members of the royal family, according to reports.

LaDube, 23, who has been under house arrest since her scandalous affair with justice minister Ndumiso Mamba came to light, told the Sunday Times that she was thrown out after she tried to leave the palace to take her child to hospital.

The two-year-old had injured herself while playing. But a guard at the gate refused to let her out.

"He threatened to hit me, saying I am not going anywhere with my child, who was bleeding from a deep wound," she told the newspaper.

She said an altercation ensued between herself and the guard as she was "physically prevented" from leaving the palace.

"I had to protect myself so I pepper sprayed him in the eyes," she said.

The matter was reported to the Queen Mother, who apparently decided that she had been disrespectful and had to be kicked out.

LaDube, who married the polygamist king when she was 16-years-old, said she had not seen her husband for almost a year, and was punched and kicked by another guard in July when she demanded to see him.

She said she couldn't take all her belongings because they just said "you have to pack and leave now".

She was told to leave her three young children behind. It is not clear where she is currently staying.

The events took place when Mswati was taking part in a sacred ritual which requires him to live in seclusion for almost two months. Her powerful mother is in charge of royal affairs during his absence.

LaDube is the third of Mswati's 13 wives to leave the palace since 2004.

Minister Mamba resigned after his affair with the royal spouse was exposed.