Times Of Swaziland: JAN HAS PASSED VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON KING – PERCY

JAN HAS PASSED VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON KING – PERCY
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BY BONISILE MAKHUBU on 14/04/2018 10:40:00


MBABANE – Manzini North MP Jan Sithole has received a backlash from government
for his submissions that Tinkhundla system of Governance was an experiment that
went wrong.
The Member of Parliament (MP) spoke during Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s
memorial service held at the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral on Thursday.
Percy Simelane, Government Spokesman, yesterday said they want to believe that
MP Sithole was voted into Parliament by people who believe in the system.
Simelane said it would be a fallacy for him to then turnaround and kick them in
the mouth.
“Tinkhundla System of Governance is no political piracy. It is in place
because the people of Swaziland have many a time freely submitted their support
to its continuity.
He said it had been reviewed, tried and tested since its conception 63 years
ago.
Simelane went on to state that the highest decision making authority in the land
(Sibaya) has consistently endorsed the system and it has been periodically
strengthened over the years.
“In accordance to the principles of true democracy, no one wolf can change
this.”
The MP and Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) president during the memorial
had also stated that there was a crisis in the country as there was lack of
disability and elderly grants; lack of drugs in hospitals; shortage of tertiary
education scholarships.
He went on to state that in order to bring about the much needed a change in the
country, political parties need to be engaged on a national dialogue to devise
strategies that would result in a free country.
He seems to have overstepped the boundary as he remained optimistic that if the
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa would come to Swaziland’s rescue,
“with the backing of freedom-hungry Swazis, liberation would be possible.”
After having said all this he expressed hope that the President of South Africa
Cyril Ramaphosa would come to Swaziland’s rescue.
Simelane, in the statement issued yesterday, said they view this comment as
single handily passing a vote of no confidence on His Majesty the King and
Ingwenyama, the Head of State.
“We view Mr Sithole’s submission that a head of State from a neighbouring
country is to come and whip leadership into line as single handily passing a
vote of no confidence on His Majesty the King and Ingwenyama, the Head of
State.”
He said His Majesty would always be open to international advice, but not
orders.
Simelane went to state that democracy is about a people defining their destiny
and not about other nations shouting orders.
“Swaziland is a sovereign State and its destiny is in the hands of its people
and not at the mercy of lone political wolfs operating like jukeboxes.”
He said the Swazi nation had put together one of the best constitutions in the
world, according to seasoned judges around the world, including justices from
Mauritius and South Africa.
Further, he pointed out that the way the nation goes to parliamentary elections
in the country was constitutional as attested to by the last party of
international elections observes only five years ago.
“Social grants shall always be determined by the size of the economy at a
point in time and laid down rules and regulations to ensure continuity.”
Simelane said that there were no scholarships was a fallacy of the first order.
He said the State continues to grant scholarships to thousands of deserving
tertiary education applicants every year despite its economic challenges at a
time when a majority of countries in the region and abroad do not.
Addressing the issue of Free Primary Education, he said the State funds it and
subsidizes stable food, medication and fuel among other services to the people