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DOES THE SWAZI CABINET CONSIDER PEOPLE’S VIEWS?

03/08/2017 03:44:00 By Vusi Kunene

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I usually do not like commenting on issues that are current and are still being discussed in certain forums but I will comment on a current issue this time.

What persuaded me to do so is the views of Martin Luther King Jr when he said if one decided to sit and ignore an injustice when it was done, that person was as guilty as the perpetrator of the injustice. So I felt I should comment and not let the injustice go unmentioned. In as much as I know that commenting may not sway or change the decision of the perpetrators but I will let it be known to them if they care.

Our Constitution provides that the people of Swaziland will elect a person at inkhundla level who will represent them in Parliament. This person, whom we then refer to as a Member of Parliament, carries the mandate of the people and whatever he or she submits in Parliament is supposed to be the views of the people after consultation with them. I do not know if our MPs do consult their constituencies before making submissions in the House. If they do not, then it is an indictment on our government, because that is what our government wants us and the world to believe.

If that is the case, then whatever an MP submits in Parliament is not his views but that of the people who elected him. That MP cannot, therefore, be held accountable for the views of the people who sent him to represent them. To then attack the MP is unfair because it is not his personal views that he put through, but was carrying out instructions from his constituency.

Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament Phila Buthelezi presented the views of his constituency in Parliament (let me add that I think it was the right thing to do so) and he seemed to have rubbed Cabinet the wrong way. I say Cabinet because we are told that Cabinet is collectively responsible for their actions and this time it is the leader of Cabinet that expressed its views. My main concern though is the lack of willingness to engage by Cabinet.

The MP should be encouraged to bring the views of his constituency so they could be debated. The prime minister must allow parliamentarians to discuss and debate issues without fear. Most Swazis are so ‘respectful’ that they are not comfortable to express their views when there is someone senior (‘kubindvwa kubonwa’).

This must change if the country is to move forward because people must be able to bring ideas and debate issues. I am of the opinion that this is the behaviour that Cabinet is used to such that they were surprised when the honourable MP raised the issue.

The Constitution of Swaziland is not cast in stone and it will be amended when the need arises. The institution that has the mandate to amend the Constitution is Parliament. So there is nothing wrong with what the people of Matsanjeni North did when they raised the issue of the recall of those in Cabinet, even the prime minister.

The office of the prime minister is provided for in the Constitution and his appointment is also provided for. In my opinion, that the MP said people should be involved in the appointment of the PM is in order. We may not agree with the people of Matsanjeni North on that, but they must not be intimidated and be allowed to express their views. Cabinet must remember that we are told that it is Swazis who crafted the Constitution, therefore it is Swazis who will amend their Constitution and they should not be intimidated.

It seems the Prime Minister’s Office has a problem understanding freedom of expression. This is a right guaranteed by not only our Constitution but also by the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let people express themselves and their views should be considered and debated. This reminds me that this is the very same office that said some people must be throttled for expressing themselves.

The people of Matsanjeni North want the nation to debate provisions of their Constitution and let them be respected and government should promote their right to express themselves as provided for in the Constitution. Let me add that government is enjoined to promote human rights and not stifle them. Sibaya also expressed itself but there was nothing that Cabinet did on what they raised and this also touched on the office of the prime minister. The views of people must be considered and debated. We are told that we live in a free country where rights are respected or kubindwa kubonwa must reign in the country prime minister?