LOBAMBA – The Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini, has accepted a motion that was moved to question his leadership style.
This was during a House of Assembly sitting.
The motion was moved by Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini and it demands that the PM outline in detail a variety of issues, including what the MP has termed his disruptive style of leadership, and how it is consistent with, and fits into, the Tinkhundla System of Government as established under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The Tinkhundla framework emphasises consensus-building, traditional authority and collective decision-making at both national and local levels.
As the Mbabane East MP motivated his motion, the PM could be seen jotting down notes.
When it was time for debate, the PM stood up to state that he was accepting the motion and would bring responses.
In fact, the PM said he had actually planned to respond on the same day, but that both the mover and seconder had added new information.
The PM, according to the motion, has also been asked to outline the manner in which his leadership style affects the doctrine of collective responsibility within Cabinet, particularly whether it upholds or undermines the principle that all ministers are jointly accountable to His Majesty the King-in-Parliament for the policies and actions of government.
The Mbabane East MP has also called for the PM to detail the impact of this leadership style on service delivery across all sectors of the kingdom, including its effects on the efficiency, coordination and effectiveness of public service programmes, development projects and the overall welfare of emaSwati.
Furthermore, the Mbabane East MP moved that the PM’s response be accompanied by specific examples, timelines and measurable indicators to enable members to fully assess the compatibility of the said leadership approach with the foundational principles of the Tinkhundla System and its implications for good governance.
Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu seconded the motion.
Notably, towards the end of March, the PM, in a firm and carefully reasoned address to Parliament, laid out a detailed defence of key budget allocations, warning that misconceptions and insufficient information risk undermining critical government systems and, ultimately, national progress.
He began by addressing the contentious issue of the e-Cabinet system, for which an allocation of approximately E5 million had been proposed for removal.
The PM expressed concern that the recommendation to reduce the budget to zero stemmed from misinformation.
Drawing on the experience of those who have served within Cabinet, he emphasised that its operations depend on a structured and confidential system, one that ensures proper preparation, secure deliberations and accurate record-keeping through formal minutes.
According to the PM, this system is currently non-functional and urgently requires restoration. Eliminating the allocation, he argued, would effectively render Cabinet inoperative.
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