KING APPOINTS EX-DPM, EX-SPEAKER

MBABANE – Former Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku and former Speaker Petros Mavimbela have made a comeback in Eswatini’s politics scene.

His Majesty has appointed the 74-year-old Masuku to the position of Shiselweni Regional Administrator, replacing Peter Mamba who had also served as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). His Majesty has retained Themba Msibi in the same position as Lubombo Regional Administrator. Prince Tsandzile returns to Hhohho to be RA, while Chief Gija has also been reappointed into the same position as Manzini RA.

Appointment

Petros Mavimbela, whose home was bombed during the civil unrest is the new Chairman of the Land Management Board. Mavimbela doubled as MP for Mhlambanyatsi in the previous Parliament. Their appointment was announced by Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo in a press conference yesterday.

Regional administration is the second level of government after the national government, as established by Section 82(1) of the Constitution of Swaziland of 2005. It ensures the equitable allocation of national resources and coordinates socio-economic development at the regional level through community-based initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods. The RA holds the status of a deputy minister and receives associated benefits and privileges as prescribed by the Constitution.

Development

Key responsibilities of the RA include; convening and presiding over meetings with chiefs to facilitate development within chiefdoms. They also oversee regional development programmes and coordinate government initiatives. For this work and other duties, the taxpayer will fund the appointed officials, a basic salary of E766 572 per annum, equating to E63 881 per month excluding fringe of benefits paid in kind by the taxpayer.

His appointment means, he will stop earning his pension amounting to E64 732.86, which is 80 per cent of his basic salary he earned while in office in the previous term as deputy prime minister. Meanwhile, in addition to the RA’s basic salaries, the politicians will be paid various benefits funded by taxpayers. These include a luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), specifically the Toyota Land Cruiser, valued at E1.5 million, for official use at their discretion.

Acquisition

This is in accordance with their pecks provided in the Finance Circular No.2 of 2023, which provides that these politicians be provided official government vehicles, with the cost of acquisition, maintenance, insurance, and fuel covered by the government through the Central Transport Administration.

These vehicles will depreciate at a rate of 20 per cent per annum over the term of the 12th Parliament. According to the Finance Circular of 2023, at the end of this term, parliamentarians and designated office bearers will have the option to purchase the vehicles at their depreciated value, at which point government responsibility for them will cease.

Benefits

Their other benefits, is that the taxpayer will also cover their monthly communication allowance of E5 000 and an annual entertainment allowance of E76 657.20. Meanwhile, Masuku holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Missouri in the US. He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2018 to 2021 and Acting Prime Minister, thereafter.

He played a crucial role in leading the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and political unrest. His leadership during this period demonstrated his capabilities as a senior political figure, operating under the guidance of Their Majesties. Masuku, a seasoned politician with vast experience in various ministerial roles, including Finance, Economic Planning and Development, and Agriculture, is expected to bring valuable insight into his new role as announced by the King’s messenger yesterday.

He was mocked after his name was conspicuously missing from lists of royal councils announced last year. Social media followers claimed he had been dumped by the Tinkhundla System of Government. On the other hand, Msibi also served as Speaker of the House of Assembly. It is said that, among other duties, they will ensure that government services are decentralised to the regions. Additionally, all parliamentarians and designated office bearers will receive an ex-gratia payment at the end of the 12th Parliament. This will be a one-time payment equivalent to 12 months’ basic salary before tax.

Entities

Before Eswatini gained independence in 1968, RAs were known as district commissioners. Initially, there were six regions, including Pigg’s Peak and Mankayane as separate entities. However, these were later merged into the current four-region structure: Hhohho, Manzini, Shiselweni and Lubombo.
The number of formalised tinkhundla centres has increased over time to ensure fair representation, growing from 22 to 59 to accommodate geographical and demographic factors. Today, these centres boast modern infrastructure, while maintaining their traditional character and founding principles.

Each inkhundla consists of multiple chiefdoms and serves as an administrative hub. Since 1967, Eswatini’s local administration has evolved significantly. The first district commissioners included Peter Helemisi Mtsetfwa, Ray Maphalala, Matsebula, Abby Mamba, and Maqobolwane Mamba. In 1978, a delegation was sent to study governance models in other countries, including Tanzania. Eswatini subsequently adopted the titles of RAs and principal secretaries for these officials.

Overseeing

The RA is a political figure responsible for overseeing political and developmental affairs in their respective regions, including chieftaincy matters.
They are appointed by His Majesty the King upon the recommendation of the minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development. Regional administration has grown significantly, gaining constitutional recognition as the primary entity responsible for coordinating government development programmes at the grassroots level.

Effective administration at the regional level has proven to be the most efficient way to address the needs of the population.To support this function, the regional secretary serves as the head of the regional secretariat, working closely with the RA to implement regional development strategies.
As the most senior civil servant in the region, the regional secretary oversees government operations and ensures the successful execution of regional development projects and programmes.

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