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PM lays down his plans

07/10/2012 00:00:00 MBONGENI NDLELA AND MDUDUZI MAGAGULA

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MBABANE – After Parliament’s vote of no confidence against it, Cabinet has frantically contacted all government stakeholders to inform them that they are still in charge.

Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini also has also instructed his charges to continue with their duties, which include going to the same Parliament to represent their respective ministries in debates and other discussions.

The PM said the vote of no confidence in his Cabinet, as passed by parliament last Wednesday, will not be recog-nised.

He said his cabinet will stay put.

"We will just ignore the vote of no confidence and carry on with our business as usual," he said.

Indeed, he was at the University of Swaziland yesterday in his official capacity, to witness the 32nd graduation ceremony for the conferment of degrees, diplomas and certificates.

In our interview, he said cabinet was going nowhere since the parliament motion for a vote of no confidence was illegal because it sought to force Cabinet to break the law.

unconstitutional

Dlamini said parliament’s decision was, therefore, unconstitutional and also contravened the parliamentary standing orders which regulated operations of the august house.

The PM said in terms of the constitution and the standing orders, Parliament could not sit to review and override decisions of the Supreme Court of the land and those of the International Court of Arbitration.

He said as per the constitution, parliament duties included passing laws while courts implement the rule of law.

He emphasised that Cabinet respected the rule of law which is legislated by the same Parliament.

He made these comments on Friday, responding to a question on the way forward regarding the impasse between Cabinet and Parliament following the latter’s move to pass a vote of no confidence.

Constitutionally, this effectively removed cabinet from office but awaits the approval of His Majesty the King.

Dlamini said Cabinet ministers would continue with their work and all stake-holders who worked with government should be assured that cabinet was still in place.

development

He said cabinet had informed various partners about the development to the effect that cabinet was still leading government.

Cabinet work will not be confined to Hospital Hill but ministers, including himself, would even attend parliamentary business.

"Whenever the Speaker or Senate President decides to convene parliament, Cabinet will attend without fail and fear," he said. He said cabinet ministers would continue to discharge their duties as their various mandates in accordance with their portfolios.

Dlamini also said he was aware that some sectors had suggested that cabinet should go to court to seek its intervention on this issue.

He said this would not happen because the whole issue was straight forward.

confidence

"The vote of no confidence is of no force and will be ignored by cabinet," he said.

Esther Dlamini, Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly, said whether cabinet goes or stays depends on His Majesty the King.

She said there were two likely outcomes from the king.

His Majesty could either sanction parliament’s resolution or reject it.

The Deputy Speaker said she had already handed a report to Prince Guduza, Speaker in the House of Assembly, on what transpired in parliament.

The Speaker, who is currently bereaved, will now take it to the next stage in accordance with the constitution.

Motion mover not moved

BABANE – Thandi Nxumalo, the Manzini South Member of Parliament (MP) who moved the motion that saw parliament passing a vote of no confidence against Cabinet, says parliament did everything by the book.

She said the motion she moved on Wednesday was a follow-up of another moved by parliament on August 22, 2012.

This motion was moved by Marwick Khumalo, Lobamba Lomdzala MP and Trusty Gina, Nkilongo MP.

"On August 22, Parliament passed a resolution calling upon cabinet to ensure that the Swaziland Posts and Teleco-mmunications (SPTC) did not switch off its Fixedfone component, failing which a vote of no confidence in all the ministers would be passed," she said. "However, Cabinet did not comply with parliament’s resolutions.

"The minister of ICT did not even bother to come back to the House and explain whether Cabinet was attending to the issue or not.

"In fact, there are many issues Cabinet had failed to address," she said.

She said Parliament was doing its job when it passed a vote of no confidence against Cabinet. She said what they did was supported by the Constitution.

"The constitution repre-sents what the nation wants and does not want," she said.

She reitera-ted her con-viction that Wednesday’s historic motion was lo-ng over-due.

COMMENTS:

- The PM is usurping the powers of the highest office in the land by laying down his plans before the rightful authorities have pronounced themselves on this matter. I don't know if that's his intentions or not, but I'm sure his advisers would have cautioned him against doing such. As Swazis we don't want any appointed politician to portray our monarchical system as weak and indecisive. The PM has done that and it's not the first time, and I hope Liqoqo, the king's advisers, will take note and act quickly against this dictatorial display of arrogance. Our King doesn't need his PM to tell him what the next agenda of business will be after the vote of no confidence was passed. The constitution of the land which was proudly blessed by His Majesty in July 2005 takes care of that already. The PM's job is to keep quiet and sit tight, and expect a directive from his superiors any day from now. This is simple enough I'm sure.
October 07, 2012, 2:00 pm, TemaHeberu

- Hhawu kani lelive selabani..Kani tsinemaswati sawakhetselani emaMps?Uma ngabe ivote of no confidence seyiphumile abavele bayeekhaya..infact labantfwu labakucabinet abati kutsi bentani sthruu.The Pm led cabinet should just go home,bangasitjeli ngemaplans abo langeke asite lelive.I fully support ema MPs but they acted to late....waiting to see what will transpire.........
October 07, 2012, 2:00 pm, Umtukulu waGalugodo

- I do encourage the PM to request the AG to confirm his advice in a Court of Law before the nation brands the PM as a ditactor. iNgwenyama has to be seen to be following the Constitution and not ignoring a unprecedented Parly decision such as a ''vote of no confidence'' (on the whole of Cabinet).If the process followed by Parly is flawed, then go to Court - we can't rely on brief press statements. Having won in court, advice the King to call a snap election by April 2013. You talk of Mafia & you were too slow to tackle them, now they might have striked first through Parly - who knows?
October 07, 2012, 2:01 pm, Sidney Dlamini

- Sengumhlolo ke nangu. Only the king has the royal right and the constitutional duty to lay down his plans after the vote of no confidence. Not the PM. Can we all try to respect the king's office please.
October 31, 2011, 7:01 am, Mndini

- Maye savelelwa nganayi i-cabinet! Balukhuni ga labantfu laba. Can't they get the message that they are not needed and wanted anymore? How does it feel to stay in a place where you know nobody wants you? Hambani ekhaya shemu sesidziniwe ngini nema scandals enu.
October 07, 2012, 7:01 pm, Saddened

- There is no need now for the PM & his Cabinet to go to join any Parliament sitting as constitutionally there shall be no Parliament sitting when the vote of no confidence has been passed. They are not allowed to debate any government issues inside the Chambers. What is done is to wait to for a directive from the King on whether Cabinet stays or not. Running to courts won't help as courts must not interfere with Parliament business.
October 07, 2012, 7:01 pm, Thandizwe