Applause as King dissolves Parly

His Majesty King Mswati III addresses the nation at Sibaya yesterday. (Pics: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

LOBAMBA – There was thunderous applause and shouts of Bayethe as His Majesty the King dissolved Parliament a day ahead of the national elections process which begins with nominations today.

Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini was relieved of his duties in absentia as he is currently in the Islamic Republic of Iran to represent His Majesty King Mswati III at the Inauguration of that country’s new President Dr Hasan Rouhani.

The Prime Minister is expected back home on Tuesday, according to a government press statement.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, the Speaker Prince Guduza and Senate President Gelane Zwane have also been relieved of their parliamentary duties.

Acting Ludzidzini Governor Timothy Mtetwa confirmed this in an interview last night.
“I cannot discuss this after the King has roared. Since the four people you are asking me about are Members of Parliament they are no exception to this,” he said.

However, Prince Guduza said they would be remaining in office with their deputies.
Deputy Speaker is Esther Dlamini while the Deputy Senate President is Ngomuya-yona Gamedze.

Prince Guduza said the Speaker and the Senate president remain in office as per the dictates of the Constitution because they are expected to handle certain matters.  “We will be in office with our deputies,” said the Speaker.
He pointed out that they were also expected to work closely with the ad hoc committee to be appointed by the King.  In his address, His Majesty termed the committee as sigejane.

The Speaker explained that His Majesty meant that Members of Parliament (MPs) and Cabinet cease to perform their duties when dissolving Parliament.
On Cabinet, the prince said: “When you talk about Cabinet, you are talking about the Prime Minister and his entire Cabinet. The Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament. In fact, he is a member of my House.”
The King summoned the nation to the Cattle Byre at Ludzidzini where he officially announced the dissolution towards the end of his 24-minute speech.

He said parliamentarians needed to return to their communities to participate in the elections.
“As the elections process begins tomorrow, it cannot run well if it can take off while some Swazis are still in Parliament when they are expected to participate. This Parliament has worked well, we cannot overlook the good work they have done. They have worked with honesty and with diligence,” His Majesty said.

He said even though there were often glitches during debates they were meant for a good purpose. The King noted that there was bound to be commotion when people were working together but said it was appreciated if it was meant to improve the country.
“We appreciate the good work they have done. This is a special day to praise them for the good work they have done. They are now expected to return to the communities where they hail from to participate in the process,” he said.

“Iphalamende seyitawuguca, itawuvele ibuyele ekhaya bato-wukwati kusebenta umsebe-ntiwe welive,” he said.
Out of the 18 Cabinet ministers, 10 represented constituencies while the others were senators and some were appointed MPs.
As Parliament dissolves, the King will be left with a small team he will work with to wrap up government’s business.
His Majesty the King said details of the team will be announced at a later stage. “We are all building the nation and the people should take this seriously,” he said.

On the prorogation and dissolution of Parliament the Constitution says in Section 134 (1), “The King may at any time (a) prorogue Parliament or (b) dissolve Parliament. (2) Subject to provisions of subsections (3) and (7) Parliament, unless sooner dissolved shall stand dissolved five years less two months from the date of the first meeting of the House following a general election. (6) Where Parliament is dissolved in terms of subsection (1) (b) the Members of Parliament shall be deemed to have vacated office on the day but one of the first meeting of the House after the general election. (7) Where Parliament is dissolved in terms of subsection (2), the memb

Section 136(1) of the Constitution states that, “A general election of elected members of the House shall be held at such time within 60 days after every dissolution of Parliament, as the King shall appoint by proclamation published in the Gazette.”
Mtetwa said the King would appoint the people who will be responsible for government duties in the meantime. “That is why he said announcements will be made in due course,” he said.

King happy with Sibaya attendance, registration figures

LOBAMBA – “We are happy to be here with the nation to greet one another.
“It is pleasing to see such an attendance as people came in their numbers.”

These were the words of His Majesty the King as he began his address to about 10 000 people who had gathered at the Cattle Byre yesterday.
“The attendance shows that Swazis appreciate the Swazi culture of Sibaya. God and the ancestors are surely pleased at this. We are a lucky nation, we have peace and this is because Swazis are humble and have respect. Those qualities are key in sustaining a country,” he said.
Adding, His Majesty said a peaceful country prospered in many aspects, even if things tried to disturb the peace.

He said evidence to peace were the many people who visited the country, which he said gave assurance to Swazis that people had a good picture about Swaziland.
“Your being here is also a sign of respect. I know you are here because you want to attend so that you hear what the King has to say to you. We can talk endlessly about the good things happening in the country,” he said before he started on the elections.
“We have heard that registration figures are very high this time around as most Swazis want to participate in the elections. This year, when compared to other years, has the highest registration figures,” he said.

He said statistics showed that almost all the eligible people have registered, about 60 per cent registered.
“We need real Swazis who love the country. You know these people very well, that is why elections begin in the communities.
He implored imiphakatsi to safeguard the process of nation-building and said people should be proud of participating in building the nation.
“People should also remind the candidates of their mandate. We have had complaints about MPs who do not show up in their communities but only emerge when elections are approaching. We want people who will maintain peace and security. People who will take over should follow in the footsteps of those who are in,” His Majesty said.

ParlY’s good work recognised

LOBAMBA – The last day of office for parliamentarians was marked with praises for them and the nation at large from His Majesty the King.

MPs and the rest of the close to 10 000 people who had heeded the Sibaya summons exclaimed Bayethe throughout the King’s address as he mentioned how the operations of the ninth Parliament had yielded good fruits.
Parliament has passed 64 Bills.

His Majesty said the nation has to work hard to improve the lives of those who are unemployed, to boost the economy and take the country forward.
“We have a big challenge, our forefathers worked for the country that is why we have it today, it is due to the means they engaged to sustain the country. We should take from where they left so that we further develop the country. No country succeeds without cooperation. Everyone must play a role in taking the country forward,” the King said.

He called for all people to make it their responsibility to see the country going forward and growing and helping fight unemployment so that even those who are out of jobs today may be able to make a living some day.

“We encourage Swazis to continue with the way they are handling situations, even though we do not always achieve what we intend to. Many ideas will be contributed by the people and this has helped,” His Majesty said.

Elections Bills came at the right time

LOBAMBA – The passing of the six Elections Bills prior to the start of the national elections process came as a relief to His Majesty King Mswati III.

The Bills that were passed during the last few weeks of the ninth Parliament are The Elections and Boundaries Commission Bill No. 7, Elections Expenses Bill No.9, Voters Registration Bill No.10, The Parliament (Petition) Bill No.12 and the Senate (Elections) Bill No.11.

“We hope you will familiarise yourselves with the Elections Bills so that you elect according to their dictates,” His Majesty said.
Money
His Majesty advised the nation to nominate wise candidates and not those who dangle monetary and material things in an attempt to win their hearts.

“We need wise people to take the country forward and not those who have money. You should not be deceived by people who buy you things because they do that only during election days and they will stop once they have attained what they seek to accomplish,” said His Majesty.
He said since today is nomination day, people would be working with the chiefs and royal kraal councils.

“We wish for people who will bring a bright future for the country. We do not want communities to elect questionable people as if the people were desperate or they had no option,” His Majesty said.

President and I will remain in office - Speaker

LOBAMBA – The Speaker , Prince Guduza and Senate President Gelane Zwane will remain in office until the next Parliament is elected.
When announcing the dissolution, His Majesty King Mswati III said: “Namuhla seyitawuguca itokwati kutsi umsebenti uchu-beke – seyitawuvele iye ekhaya. (Today, it has been dissolved to give way to the ongoing elections process – they will be going back to their respective constituencies).”

Interviewed after His Majesty had delivered his speech, Prince Guduza confirmed that they would be remaining in office with their deputies.
The Deputy Speaker is Esther Dlamini while the Deputy Senate President is Ngomuyayona Gamedze.
Prince Guduza said: “It is true that the Speaker and the president will remain in office as per the dictate of the Constitution because we are expected to handle certain matters. We will be in office with our deputies.”

He pointed out that they were also expected to work closely with the ad hoc committee to be appointed by the King. In his address, His Majesty termed the committee as sigetjane.
The Speaker explained that the King meant that Members of Parliament and Cabinet cease to perform their duties when dissolving Parliament.
On Cabinet, the prince said: “When you talk about Cabinet, you are talking about the Prime Minister and his entire Cabinet. The Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament. In fact, he is a member of my House.”

Prince Guduza said he was happy that His Majesty noted that the outgoing Parliament did a tremendous job while in office.
“It is true that while going about our duties, we encountered difficulties and we also overcame hurdles. There were good times and bad times like any working environment,” he said.

He mentioned that the media was aware of the pitfalls they came across during their tenure.
When asked about the new Elections Bills that have been passed into Acts, Prince Guduza said Parliament worked tirelessly in what he termed lightening speed considering that they were tabled late      
“Even though the Bills were tabled at the eleventh hour, the relevant stakeholders showed interest that is unprecedented. Hence, while doing consultations, a lot of people made submissions,” he said.

TV rubs nation the wrong way on timfucuta comment

LOBAMBA – ‘Imfucuta’ a term used by acting Ludzidzini Governor Timothy Velabo Mtetwa was the buzzword during and after Sibaya, yesterday.

Imfucuta is vernacular for garbage.
Mtetwa surprised many when he uttered the word, when calling senior princes, chiefs, members of the various traditional committees to a brief meeting moment before their Majesties entered the Cattle Byre.

When making the announcement, Mtetwa said: “Angifuni imfucuta ngalana. Ngifuna ba-ntfwabekhosi, bobabe tikhulu nalaba bukele imiphakatsi. (I do not want excess garbage this side. I only want senior princes, chiefs and acting chiefs).”
Even though some people were protesting about the usage of the word, Mtetwa seemingly turned a blind eye. He stressed: “Ngitsi angiyifuni imfucuta. (I insist, I don’t want garbage this side).”

After the announcement, most people who had crammed the national byre analysed his statement.
Most felt it was in bad taste.
In an interview after Sibaya, Mtetwa said he had not intended to offend anyone with his utterance.
The acting traditional prime minister explained that he was only calling the elders to a brief meeting before His Majesty could address the nation.
As per the dictates of Swazi culture, Mtetwa said the elders were expected to meet with their Majesties before making an appearance.

Explaining further, Mtetwa said: “Bekungenwa ngekhatsi endlukhulu. Kungena bantf-wabenkhosi nebantfu laba-dzala. Hhayi bantfwana. Imfucuta ngula bafanyana labese bangena nge khatsi. Kungena bantfu labadzala.”

This is loosely translated, “We were supposed to meet inside the main quarters of the royal residence. Only senior princes and elders are allowed inside, not youngsters. By garbage, I meant these young boys. Only elders are allowed inside.”

On another note, Mtetwa introduced His Majesty to the nation before his address at about 2:15pm.
He also made an announcement that Their Majesties had prepared something to eat for the masses.

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