No problem with SD monarchy - ANC
MBABANE - The South African ruling party, the African National Con-gress (ANC), has no qualms with the Swazi monarchy.
ANC Spokesperson, Jackson Mthembu said this in an exclusive interview with this publication yesterday.
This comes amid reports that Swaziland has finally agreed to unban political parties as a condition set in order for the country to receive the E2.4 billion loan.
The loan was requested by the country last year at the height of fiscal challenges which were reportedly worsened by the dwindling of the Southern African Custom Union (SACU) receipts.
Swaziland signed a Memorandum of Under-standing (MoU) early last week.
Sources said the MoU was a prelude to the E2.4 billion loan by Swaziland.
On Thursday last week, the ANC issued a statement during the party’s policy conference alleging Swaziland had finally agreed to unban political parties.
However, the Swaziland government has been mum about the statement.
Government Press Secretary, Percy Simelane, said ‘government was playing its card close to its chest’ regarding the matter.
"We have no problems with the Swazi monarchy.
"What we want to see in Swaziland is democratic reforms," Mthembu said.
Mthembu said they were for the idea of granting Swaziland the loan, but after political reforms have been done.
"The Kingdom of Lesotho is a monarchy, but they hold multiparty elections.
"Why can’t Swaziland emulate Lesotho?" he wondered.
Mthembu said his party was committed to the realisation of the goal of political reforms in Swaziland.
Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane could not be drawn to comment on Mthembu’s statement at around 8pm.
He was called on his mobile phone several times, but he did not answer our call.
A text message was sent to him, but he did not respond.
Comments
We want political parties. We want to decide what is good for us. We want to elect our own prime minister. We have seen enough of the tinkundla system of government, which can't deliver. We want to get out of poverty, by deciding where tax payers' money is used. Above all, we are Swazis, we will never support anything that will destroy our country, Swaziland. So, we have every reason to believe that multi-party democracy is the medication our economy needs to move forward. Sikhatsi sekutjela bantfu kutsi yini lebalungelako sesengca, nyalo everyone has a right to choose how he should be governed. that's the basis of democracy.
July 5, 20112 5:00 PM, Independent Thinker
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