Times Of Swaziland: PM lays down his plans 

PM lays down his plans
================================================================================
 MBONGENI NDLELA AND MDUDUZI MAGAGULA on 07/10/2012 00:00:00


MBABANE – After Parliament’s vote of no confidence against it, Cabinet has
frantically contacted all government stakeholders to inform them that they are
still in charge.
Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini also has also instructed his charges to continue
with their duties, which include going to the same Parliament to represent their
respective ministries in debates and other discussions.
The PM said the vote of no confidence in his Cabinet, as passed by parliament
last Wednesday, will not be recog-nised.
He said his cabinet will stay put.
"We will just ignore the vote of no confidence and carry on with our business as
usual," he said.
Indeed, he was at the University of Swaziland yesterday in his official
capacity, to witness the 32nd graduation ceremony for the conferment of degrees,
diplomas and certificates.
In our interview, he said cabinet was going nowhere since the parliament motion
for a vote of no confidence was illegal because it sought to force Cabinet to
break the law.
unconstitutional
Dlamini said parliament’s decision was, therefore, unconstitutional and also
contravened the parliamentary standing orders which regulated operations of the
august house.
The PM said in terms of the constitution and the standing orders, Parliament
could not sit to review and override decisions of the Supreme Court of the land
and those of the International Court of Arbitration.
He said as per the constitution, parliament duties included passing laws while
courts implement the rule of law.
He emphasised that Cabinet respected the rule of law which is legislated by the
same Parliament.
He made these comments on Friday, responding to a question on the way forward
regarding the impasse between Cabinet and Parliament following the latter’s
move to pass a vote of no confidence.
Constitutionally, this effectively removed cabinet from office but awaits the
approval of His Majesty the King.
Dlamini said Cabinet ministers would continue with their work and all
stake-holders who worked with government should be assured that cabinet was
still in place.
development
He said cabinet had informed various partners about the development to the
effect that cabinet was still leading government.
Cabinet work will not be confined to Hospital Hill but ministers, including
himself, would even attend parliamentary business.
"Whenever the Speaker or Senate President decides to convene parliament, Cabinet
will attend without fail and fear," he said. He said cabinet ministers would
continue to discharge their duties as their various mandates in accordance with
their portfolios.
Dlamini also said he was aware that some sectors had suggested that cabinet
should go to court to seek its intervention on this issue.
He said this would not happen because the whole issue was straight forward.
confidence
"The vote of no confidence is of no force and will be ignored by cabinet," he
said.
Esther Dlamini, Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly, said whether cabinet
goes or stays depends on His Majesty the King.
She said there were two likely outcomes from the king.
His Majesty could either sanction parliament’s resolution or reject it.
The Deputy Speaker said she had already handed a report to Prince Guduza,
Speaker in the House of Assembly, on what transpired in parliament.
The Speaker, who is currently bereaved, will now take it to the next stage in
accordance with the constitution.
Motion mover not moved
BABANE – Thandi Nxumalo, the Manzini South Member of Parliament (MP) who moved
the motion that saw parliament passing a vote of no confidence against Cabinet,
says parliament did everything by the book.
She said the motion she moved on Wednesday was a follow-up of another moved by
parliament on August 22, 2012.
This motion was moved by Marwick Khumalo, Lobamba Lomdzala MP and Trusty Gina,
Nkilongo MP.
"On August 22, Parliament passed a resolution calling upon cabinet to ensure
that the Swaziland Posts and Teleco-mmunications (SPTC) did not switch off its
Fixedfone component, failing which a vote of no confidence in all the ministers
would be passed," she said. "However, Cabinet did not comply with parliament’s
resolutions.
"The minister of ICT did not even bother to come back to the House and explain
whether Cabinet was attending to the issue or not.
"In fact, there are many issues Cabinet had failed to address," she said.
She said Parliament was doing its job when it passed a vote of no confidence
against Cabinet. She said what they did was supported by the Constitution.
"The constitution repre-sents what the nation wants and does not want," she
said.
She reitera-ted her con-viction that Wednesday’s historic motion was lo-ng
over-due.
-------------------------
COMMENTS:
- The PM is usurping the powers of the highest office in the land by laying down
his plans before the rightful authorities have pronounced themselves on this
matter. I don't know if that's his intentions or not, but I'm sure his advisers
would have cautioned him against doing such. As Swazis we don't want any
appointed politician to portray our monarchical system as weak and indecisive.
The PM has done that and it's not the first time, and I hope Liqoqo, the king's
advisers, will take note and act quickly against this dictatorial display of
arrogance. Our King doesn't need his PM to tell him what the next agenda of
business will be after the vote of no confidence was passed. The constitution of
the land which was proudly blessed by His Majesty in July 2005 takes care of
that already. The PM's job is to keep quiet and sit tight, and expect a
directive from his superiors any day from now. This is simple enough I'm sure.
October 07, 2012, 2:00 pm, TemaHeberu
- Hhawu kani lelive selabani..Kani tsinemaswati sawakhetselani emaMps?Uma ngabe
ivote of no confidence seyiphumile abavele bayeekhaya..infact labantfwu
labakucabinet abati kutsi bentani sthruu.The Pm led cabinet should just go
home,bangasitjeli ngemaplans abo langeke asite lelive.I fully support ema MPs
but they acted to late....waiting to see what will transpire.........
October 07, 2012, 2:00 pm, Umtukulu waGalugodo
- I do encourage the PM to request the AG to confirm his advice in a Court of
Law before the nation brands the PM as a ditactor. iNgwenyama has to be seen to
be following the Constitution and not ignoring a unprecedented Parly decision
such as a ''vote of no confidence'' (on the whole of Cabinet).If the process
followed by Parly is flawed, then go to Court - we can't rely on brief press
statements. Having won in court, advice the King to call a snap election by
April 2013. You talk of Mafia & you were too slow to tackle them, now they might
have striked first through Parly - who knows?
October 07, 2012, 2:01 pm, Sidney Dlamini
- Sengumhlolo ke nangu. Only the king has the royal right and the constitutional
duty to lay down his plans after the vote of no confidence. Not the PM. Can we
all try to respect the king's office please.
October 31, 2011, 7:01 am, Mndini
- Maye savelelwa nganayi i-cabinet! Balukhuni ga labantfu laba. Can't they get
the message that they are not needed and wanted anymore? How does it feel to
stay in a place where you know nobody wants you? Hambani ekhaya shemu
sesidziniwe ngini nema scandals enu.
October 07, 2012, 7:01 pm, Saddened
- There is no need now for the PM & his Cabinet to go to join any Parliament
sitting as constitutionally there shall be no Parliament sitting when the vote
of no confidence has been passed. They are not allowed to debate any government
issues inside the Chambers. What is done is to wait to for a directive from the
King on whether Cabinet stays or not. Running to courts won't help as courts
must not interfere with Parliament business.
October 07, 2012, 7:01 pm, Thandizwe