MPS WANT 60TH CONSTITUENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

PIGG’S PEAK – Members of Parliament (MPs) will move a motion for the formation of a 60th constituency that will be strictly for persons with disabilities.

The call to move this motion was amplified yesterday at Pigg’s Peak Hotel, during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) HIV/AIDS Governance Project workshop. The workshop was aimed at sensitising MPs on disability and sexual reproductive health and rights.

During the workshop, challenges faced by persons with disabilities were analysed in detail. Further, calls were made to the legislators to make Eswatini a comfortable place for persons with disabilities. The workshop also brought together the Disability Departments under the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office, the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) European Union (EU), as well as the Federation of Organisations of The Disabled People in Swaziland (FODSWA).

Economy

The MPs showed willingness and further committed to ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all sectors of the economy, including in Parliament.  The MPs noted that persons with disability are often invisible during elections. It was then suggested that in order for Parliament to pass legislation that favours persons with disabilities, they should be part of the legislative business. Due to their invincibility during elections, the MPs said it is crucial for the country, out of the 59 Constituencies to have a 60th, which will advocate for people with disabilities.

Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, stated that each and every constituency is affected when it comes to issues of disabilities. The MP said government partners and stakeholders should clearly state how legislators could come on board on issues of persons with disabilities. Khumalo said MPs pass legislation.

“Speak out on what you expect of us in the area of legislation. Based on what I have heard here, I will be lobbying my colleagues when we get back to Parliament, to say the country needs to create the 60th constituency at least for the House of Assembly that will exclusively be for persons with disabilities,” he said.

Khumalo said persons with disabilities have tried to participate in elections, but they have been unsuccessful. He said the road to the creation of the 60th constituency includes the amendment of the legislation so it can accommodate it. “I have no doubt in my mind that anyone might say the head of State might be opposed to that because he is very passionate and has demonstrated that he wants to see persons with disabilities being included,” he said.

Withdraw

He urged the MPs to support the motion once it is moved, to pass it and leave it to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to take it further. Khumalo further highlighted that Parliament passed a law that deals with gender-based violence (GBV).

“Clearly there are gaps in it because it has been mentioned that survivors tend to withdraw cases. We need to make sure that everyone can report GBV, even if it is just a neighbour. It should not be the survivors that report,” he said.  
Madlangampisi MP Allen Vilane also echoed Khumalo.

He noted that when it was confirmed that women representation was close to none in Parliament, legislation was amended to incorporate and increase the number of women in the august House, through the election of regional woman MPs. He said the same principle could also apply to ensure that every region has a representative of people with disabilities.

Lugongolweni MP Joseph Souza urged that there should be a timeframe for the formation or amendment of the legislation. He noted that there was a tendency of not following up on sensitive and crucial issues like those of persons with disabilities.

“We are the legislators that are going to pass the law, but who will be at the forefront in terms of the drafting of the law, so that it speaks to the issues of persons with disabilities directly,” he said. Ntfonjeni MP Raymond Dlamini also urged for all government ministries to have plans that will spell out their inclusion of people with disabilities in their workforce and service delivery.

“Even government study loans should also spell out the inclusion of persons with disabilities,” he said. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jabulani Mabuza, said the impetus of the workshop was to align Parliament’s core mandate, which is legislation, oversight and representation.

“This speaks to robust action in reviewing and enacting legislative framework for persons with disabilities, inclusive and responsive policies and budgeting to promote access and security to commodities, enhanced trying of cases for persons with disabilities, tabling of motions and redressing all socio-economic ill infringing on the human rights of this populace with a right to dignity,” he said.

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