Guduza rebukes PM
STORIES BY SENZO DLAMINI
LOBAMBA – Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini was yesterday repeatedly refused the chance to make a statement in Parliament by the Speaker Prince Guduza.
The refusal remains unprecedented.
The Speaker remained adamant even after the premier had reminded him that he was the head of government.
The PM, probably frustrated by the decision of the Speaker to deny him the opportunity to make the statement, said: "Mr Speaker, I’m the Prime Minister of the country and as such I expect to be allowed the chance to address the House if I request to do so."
However, the Speaker told the august House that his office
, some time ago, wrote to the office of the PM informing it that statements should be sent to him prior to their presentation in the House.
The prince said: "I’m not going to be made to run around because of statements."
Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament Marwick Khumalo interjected and advised that the matter be discussed in the Speaker’s office because it was not in the Order Paper for the day.
Khumalo said it was evident that there were issues that needed to be tackled and ironed out regarding the statement that was supposed to be made by the PM.
Speculation is rife that the prime minister wanted to make a statement on the executive decision by Cabinet not to implement Parliament resolution on the-now contentious 10 per cent salary cuts.
Members of Parliament unanimously voted that the 10 per cent should be restored on their salaries with effect from April 1, 2012.
PM vents in the House
LOBAMBA – Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini yesterday told the House of Assembly how the Speaker, Prince Guduza, proved to be an elusive commodity.
Dlamini vented out his frustration: "Mr, Speaker I’ve been looking for you since morning and I’m keen to know whether you got that message."
The Speaker responded: "The office of the Clerk to Parliament is working on the matter."
Progress
PM said: "I’m interested in knowing if there’s progress. Mr, Speaker, I just want to make two statements."
The head of government continued: "I’ve said it before that since morning I’ve been looking for you, but to no avail.
The PM, upon realising that the Speaker was not prepared to entertain his plea, said he does not want to convene a press conference, but to work with the office of the presiding officer.
Siphofaneni MP Gundwane Gamedze interjected: "The prime minister is always busy and now that he’s present can we debate the matter."
Debated
However, Gamedze, who is the Parliament chief whip, did not mention the exact matter that needed to be debated.
It was evident that he was referring to the failure by Cabinet to implement the Parliament resolution on the 10 per cent pay cuts on salaries of the legislators.
First to raise the matter was Majahodvwa Khumalo, the Lobamba Member of Parliament.
Speaker Prince Guduza said since the matter was discussed in caucus, it would be against Parliament procedure to discuss it openly.
The prince immediately adjourned the House after just 30 minutes, saying it would resume business tomorrow at 2:30pm.
That’s why we elected him - MPs
LOBAMBA – A majority of the MPs, immediately after the adjournment for the day, divided themselves into small groups to discuss the unprecedented move by the Speaker to deny the PM an opportunity to make a statement.
Some of legislators could be heard heaping praises on the Presiding Officer Prince Guduza, saying he did well by not entertaining something that was outside the business of the day (Order Paper).
"He’s firm and not a yes-man, hence we elected him into that position," one of the veteran MPs was heard telling his colleagues, who burst into laughter in the car park. The moment the Speaker adjourned the House, tension engulfed the chamber.
The PM, immediately after the adjournment, quietly left for his office in Parliament where he spent about half an hour before being chauffeured back to the Cabinet offices.
PM expresses disappointment
MBABANE – Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini has expressed his disappointment in what he termed as exceedingly slow pace demonstrated by Parliament in reviewing and processing draft legislation.
In a press statement issued yesterday by his office, Dlamini said: "At the present time there’re in excess of 40 Bills that have been approved by Cabinet since 2009, submitted to Parliament, but not yet processed by both Houses." He said such Bills included many very important pieces of legislation.
"Among the outstanding draft legislation currently with Parliament is the Leadership Code of Conduct Bill, the urgency of which was emphasised by His Majesty in this year’s Speech from the Throne," he stated. "Additionally, there’s the Central Transport Organisation Bill, the Witness Protection Bill and Electronic Communications Bill."
The premier said the Bills were of paramount importance to economic and social development.
"Just as in an earlier statement, I’ve commended Parliament for its vigour in monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of the government, so today, I take the opportunity to express serious concern from the Executive arm regarding the lamentable slowness with which Parliament is handling its primary function – that of the review and processing of legislation," he said.
The PM hoped that such words would help encourage the legislators to exert more effort in their work.
Comments
Finally! A prince who follows the law. If the law says statements should be sent to the speaker prior, let it be so. Hardy Barney, you head government, but he heads the House of Assembly and you were tresspassing. Guduza, ungavumeli boMakhulu baas bente matsandza. On the unpassed bills, they should come to the public first, for a post mortem before they pass. Lokutsi 'he' approved them akusho kutsi 'we' approve them. Lelive lebantfu akusilo lemuntfu munye! Asiyibone lemitsetfo singafi sibukile.I rest my case.
Jun 5, 2012, 6:23 AM, Lord Anthony (anthonym198@gmail.com)
That is a procedural matter, people should learn to respect Parliament Practices and Procedures. It doesn't matter how powerful you are in certain quarters but in the House of Assemby, largely constituted of people we elected under our choiceless elections, the Speaker is in charge.
Jun 5, 2012, 6:23 AM, Mpendulo Ngcamphalala (ngcamphalalam@yahoo.com)
Why am I not surprised that this is happening? Well I expected this a long time ago, I mean matters have come to a head now clearly demonstrating the breakdown and dysfunction between the Executive and Legislature. Cabinet is guilty of refusing to implement parliament's resolutions, and Legislature just refusing or at best are boycotting the passing of bills put before them. The thing has broken down completely now, I hope HMK can see this. The Speaker was right in putting his foot down on procedure because it is through flouted procedures by the Executive that this country is in the mess it is in today. I support an 'no stance' to the abuse of power as was apparent here. However the Speaker is not entitled to refuse to talk to the PM or anybody that works with him for that matter. Again I think the Speaker was trying to cover up the rot in his camp, legislative backlog due to MPs 'goldbricking' (loafing) at the expense of taxpayers. The PM this time around, is right in callling MPs to action in this regard. The settling of scores by these two camps must stop or somebody up there help us dissolve parliament, and let us wait for 2013, I can swear by dead grandmother's grave that this nation won't miss this crowd.
Jun 5, 2012, 6:23 AM, Burns Dlamini (Lobhoncela) (Burnspolitics@gmail.com)
Well done Mr Speaker. It seems our parliament is slowly picking up speed, only unfortunate that the end is near, come 2013. But any effort is commendable. In parliament there should be no ''sicandamatje''. The speaker is in control.
Jun 5, 2012, 8:54 AM, Yes Man!
Sir/Madam, the PM must keep in mind that once he's in parliament, he's just an ordinary MP, not the PM. Therefore he must abide by the rules and procedures of parliament. It's understood that he called the speaker's office but he was not available. However that didn't give the PM the right to then demand to make a statement. Finally on another note, i find improper for the PM to be guarded as if he is a head of state. We only have one head of state and that is king Mswati III. Thank you.
Jun 5, 2012, 12:32 PM, Themba Dlamini (coolbriiz@hotmail.com)
I like dis Guduza guy. It's high time we elect our own pm.being quiet about change is dangerous,we all know dat..
Jun 5, 2012, 12:32 PM, prinzNat (dlamininathi92@gmail.com)
Sorry Barney for the vibe. At least you now know that every meeting has an agenda. Kutsi you are the Premier of this country does not mean you have to do things your way. That house nayo iphetfwe. Ncesi shame, kancane kodvwa. Thumbs up for Mr. Speaker, uyibambe lapho nje wena.
Jun 5, 2012, 3:42 PM, Gee
Some ppl need to be reminded that in this world you dont do as you please as if its your farm, you abide by the rules of that particular place even if u ar a boss kakho, i think a lesson was learnt hear coz ppl sebatentela matsandza laveni lemaswati, vele sifundza size siyofa. You cant heard ppl and be arrogant, do things u like, fute utitfobe kubantfu. I sometimes ask myself kutsi ngabe labanye bayotsini when God poses a question that i entrusted you by giving you everything to head my people and what did you do besides being arrogant and bossy. Siyabonga yePrince kwentiwa njalo vele, we need ppl like you for Swaziland's bright future.
Jun 5, 2012, 3:42 PM, Mpendulo Mkhonta (gazylam@gmail.com)
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