Times Of Swaziland: Govt concerned over SA interference

Govt concerned over SA interference
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 BY MUSA SIMELANE on 30/07/2013 03:51:00


MBABANE – Diplomacy aside, government is concerned that it appears that
neighbouring giant, South Africa, wants to dictate how Swaziland should operate
politically and otherwise.
This stems from criticism that was directed at the Swazi Parliament by South
African parliamentarians in May this year.
They claimed that Parliament had no power and also that the national
Constitution ‘meant nothing’. They linked Swazi political problems to the
current Constitution, which they believed banned political parties and was thus
anti-democratic. This was reported in the Times SUNDAY edition of this newspaper
this week.
Government has found the assertion to be unpalatable.
Percy Simelane, Government Press Secretary said the kingdom welcomed advice from
the neighbouring state, but if that advice had elements of derisiveness, it made
it difficult to accept or accord it importance.
“Just because we are a small nation on the international stage we find
ourselves being bullied and hassled. It’s not the first time though, that this
neighbour of ours wants Swazis to live in a certain way politically and
otherwise in life. If they have an opinion or advice, there are ways to express
it to another country as recognised by the United Nations,” said Simelane on
state radio yesterday.
Simelane mentioned that the Constitution came into being with input from Swazis,
the Commonwealth and International Bar Association. It was also reviewed and
endorsed by top judges from Uganda, Mauritius and South Africa.
His Majesty King Mswati III even called the nation to review the Constitution
before he himself endorsed it. That said, the Press Secretary articulated that
following the latest talk from officials of that country, Swaziland will stop
entertaining them and their advice.
“They are not showing that they know the kingdom, instead, they seem bent on
throwing whatever judgement they have on us. I don’t know where they get it
from that just because we are a small nation our minds are small too. The things
they have said about Swaziland lack truth,” said Simelane.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s High Commission office said it will respond in
writing when forwarded a questionnaire.
SA must do homework - Percy
MBABANE – “South African politicians do not do their homework.”
This was the view of Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane, who said this
was evidenced by their poor knowledge of the country’s issues.
For instance, their knowledge that the 2005 Constitution outlawed parties was
distorted. He said it was well known that in fact, it was the 1973 Decree that
did that, and parties usually protested against that. “They don’t do their
homework!
“They are off the mark. Any country that wants to advise Swaziland must follow
United Nations rules. They shouldn’t just throw words at us as it is
synonymous with disrespect. It will be hard to pay attention to them,” said
Simelane. He said the politicians had no idea on certain matters as far as the
kingdom was concerned, which he said was why they were wrong on the
Constitution.
He said Swazis prefered that people who contested in national elections did so
as individuals representing their constituencies, not party representatives.
He also highlighted that the Constitution did not ban political parties.
‘Just because they’re better in soccer means nothing’
MBABANE – Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane said just because South
Africa was better in soccer compared to Swaziland, it did not mean they can now
control the country.
“Swaziland has its own leaders, and they have to be approached with respect if
they must be talked to. I wouldn’t be sure on how their Parliament operates,
in that they can call a country or person by name. What our MPs do (not
mentioning names in Parliament) is a way of respect,” he said.
He mentioned that South Africa was young in politics compared to Swaziland, and
therefore the onus was on the kingdom to show them the way. Furthermore he
emphasised that the future of Swaziland was in the hands of Swazis, not
neigh-bouring countries.